West Side judge converts sentence for murder committed by 16-year-old

EVERETT – A Snohomish County judge has set aside the life sentence for a man who committed murder when he was 16.

The Everett Herald reported that Superior Court Judge Linda Krese instead imposed a 32-year minimum sentence for 37-year-old Michael Skay.

The judge says her decision on Tuesday was aligned with changes in the law since Skay was locked up for the 1995 killing of Blair Scott.

Krese says it’s clear that Skay is responsible for a brutal, senseless murder,” but evidence suggests that his young age was a factor in his crime. She said there are reasons to believe he may one day be rehabilitated.

In about a decade, Skay will have a chance to convince the state Indeterminate Sentence Review Board that he’s ready for release.