Court denies stay in Brown execution

OLYMPIA – The state Supreme Court won’t stop the execution of Cal Coburn Brown.

Brown is set to be executed Friday for the 1991 murder of a 22-year-old Burien woman. His execution would be the first in the state since 2001.

The high court on Monday dismissed two petitions seeking a stay. Another appeal in Brown’s case is pending before Thurston County Superior Court. The court is expected to make a decision on that petition Wednesday.

“Of course, we’re exceedingly disappointed,” said attorney Suzanne Elliott, who filed the petitions with the high court. But she said she was “fairly confident” the judge in Thurston County would grant a stay.

Brown was convicted of carjacking Holly Washa at knifepoint near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. He robbed, raped and tortured Washa before stabbing and strangling her.