No Charges in Fatal Esperance Shooting

No criminal charges will be filed against a homeowner in Esperance who fatally shot an intruder on Feb. 7.

The Herald reports that Snohomish County prosecuting attorney Mark Roe said the homeowner was justified in using deadly force in self-defense and that a jury would conclude the same thing.

Talley was killed in the 8900 block of 225th Place West in Esperance—an island of unincoporated Snohomish County surrounded by the city of Edmonds.

In an interview with Edmonds Patch published Feb. 10, Patricia Junkin, who was Talley's fiancee, said Talley was a single father who loved his young son. 

“He had a long-term job and was a stable and loving father to his son Kenny Jr.,” Junkin said. “He was loved by extended family and all the kids. He was a big, playful teddy bear who even helped coach Pee Wee football. He wasn’t some burglar or criminal … perhaps a rough childhood and a rambunctious teen, but (he was) a stable adult who all of us are struggling to believe could have presented any danger to anyone.”

The prosecutor's investigation revealed however, according to the Herald, "that Talley had been drinking heavily in the hours before he was shot" and that his blood alcohol level was almost triple the legal driving limit.

The Herald reports that the homeowner, who says he told Talley to leave after he tried to enter his house, shot Talley after he kicked in the front door.