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Friday, November 13, 2009

Crime Prosecutors Will File Charges Against Suspected Greenwood Arsonist

Posted by Dominic Holden on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM

King County prosecutor's believe that Kevin Todd Swalwell, 46, is the Greenwood arsonist and they intend to file charges by Tuesday. In a brief document laying out probable cause, police note that on August 13, a fire was set in Greenwood to the exterior of a house, resulting in burns to a man "who was forced to flee or die." Swalwell admitted to investigators today that he was present at the time and his palm prints match the prints on a container of charcoal lighter fluid found at the scene. On Monday, Swalwell was spotted in surveillance video at 85th and Greenwood Avenue North at roughly the same time the restaurant "Olive You" was set ablaze. Swalwell told detectives he set this fire and several others in Greenwood.

Swalwell will make his first court appearance tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Courtroom 1 of the King County Jail for a bail hearing. Prosecutors have until Tuesday to file charges. Today's previous reporting on Swalwell's arrest and the ongoing investigation is here.

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He's served hard time twice before for arson, in '83 and '95 -- the last time for over ten years. He's never going to see the sun again as long as he lives.

Posted by Fnarf

on November 13, 2009 at 5:47 PM

That's sad for him, because the sun is fire, and he likes fire.

Good for SFD spotting him last night as they raced to the fire in Shoreline. Awesome.

Not that I'm presuming him anything but innocent until proven guilty, of course. But let this be an end to the arsons in my fourth-favorite neighborhood where live my second- and eighth-favorite friends.

Posted by gloomy gus on November 13, 2009 at 6:07 PM

@2: "Swalwell told detectives he set this fire and several others in Greenwood."

Posted by skye on November 13, 2009 at 8:27 PM

He is thankfully homeless no longer...

Posted by blackhook on November 13, 2009 at 9:36 PM

After the fire, the fire still burns,
The heart grows older but never ever learns.
The memories smoulder and the soul always yearns;
After the fire, the fire still burns.

Posted by baconpussy on November 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM

Another case of vagrants running wild...

Posted by Vagrant on November 14, 2009 at 6:58 AM

Ah, the homeless. Is there anything they can't ruin for the rest of us?

Posted by Tommas on November 14, 2009 at 8:08 AM