Guilty Plea Entered To Strangulation

A 37-year-old Tukwila woman has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the choking death of a woman she believed was romantically involved with her boyfriend.

Patricia Lynn Crowl pleaded Tuesday in King County Superior Court. She was charged in the May 14 slaying of Shawn Beatrice Wallace, 26, of SeaTac.

Wallace’s body, covered with plywood, was found May 19, dumped in Tukwila.

Court documents said Crowl confronted Wallace on May 14, hit her with a wrench and then strangled her.

Crowl then enlisted her ex-husband’s help, and they disposed of the body the next day.

The standard sentencing range for Crowl would be 10 years, three months to 13 years, eight months in prison. Prosecutors are seeking an exceptional sentence of 15 years, eight months, prosecutor’s office spokesman Dan Donohoe said.

Crowl’s ex-husband, John Adam Henry, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree rendering criminal assistance. Prosecutors will recommend a six- to 12-month jail sentence for him.