6703 S. 234th Street, Suite 300
Kent, Washington 98032

Toll Free: 1-866-691-7937

Washington Criminal Lawyer

Mark recently had an article published in Washington Criminal Defense magazine about the Glenn Proctor case.

Click on graphic to download the article.

On February 3, 2009, Mark testified before the Washington State House of Representatives Public Safety Committee in opposition to a proposed bill that would expand the collection of DNA samples for the government's DNA database. If passed, the law would mandate collection of DNA samples from anyone arrested for any felony, any gross misdemeanor, or the misdemeanor of patronizing a prostitute. Mark testified that compelled searches of accused, and still innocent, persons is a violation of the U.S. and Washington State constitutions. He further testified that a DNA sample is far different from a photograph or fingerprint in that the DNA sample contains sensitive, personal medical information found within the human genome and that the government cannot be trusted to prevent mis-use of this information. For more, see the following links:


Wrongfully accused of murder, Federal Way man released

On January 15, 2009, Glenn Proctor of Federal Way was released from jail where he had been held for 11 months awaiting trial on a murder he did not commit. Prosecutor Don Raz dismissed the case against Glenn after defense attorneys Diane Zumwalt and Mark Prothero provided evidence to convince the prosecutor's office they had the wrong man. Zumwalt was appointed to represent Proctor in March and enlisted Prothero in mid-June. They retained a forensic media and technology specialist, Dr. Thomas Sandor, of Renton. Dr. Sandor was able to clarify and enhance surveillance video from the scene of the homicide. By utilizing "relative cranial measurements" Dr. Sandor was able to help establish that Glenn Proctor was not the murderer. For more information about this case, here are some links to the news stories:


Mark Prothero, Glenn Proctor, and Diane Zumwalt

Mark was quoted in an article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:


On February 14, 2007, Mark Prothero testified before the Washington State House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of a bill which would create a task force to study the Washington death penalty and place a moratorium on executions in Washington while the study is completed. Many other interested parties testified, including Washington criminal defense attorneys and death penalty experts Mark Larranaga and Jeff Ellis.
To listen to the testimony, click on the following links:


"In April 2006, Greg Girard and Mark Prothero were named "2006 Trial Lawyers of the Year" by the Western Washington edition of "Presumed Innocent" magazine.

In May of 2006, Prothero and Girard prevailed in the Washington Supreme Court in the case of State v. Hanson. The court's unanimous 9-0 ruling guarantees expert witnesses at public expense for indigent clients represented by privately-retained or pro bono counsel. The case was consolidated with another defendant, well-represented by Steve Witchley of Ellis, Holmes, and Witchley, PLLC, a Seattle criminal defense firm. Mr. Witchley presented the oral argument and did an excellent job.

Mark was featured in the Seattle Times Sports section on 2/13/07. Click here to see the article.

Mark wrote a guest editorial about capital punishment that was published in the King County Journal on September 20, 2006. Click here to view the editorial.

Mark wrote a guest editorial about capital punishment that was published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on October 10, 2006. Click here to view the editorial.

In June, Mark was named one of Washington State's criminal defense SUPERLAWYERS for the third consecutive year. For more information about this honor, see www.superlawyers.com

Auburn woman pleads not guilty to horse abuse By Akiko Fujita KOMOTV.com.

Hanis Irvine Prothero recently competed in a food drive to benefit the Kent Food Bank. Over two tons of food was donated to the food bank. Here's the link to an article in the Kent Reporter: www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/community/28068544.html

Mark had an article on false confessions published in the Kent Reporter recently. Here's the article.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPEAKER

For many years, Mark has been making presentations to various groups on different topics dealing with criminal justice. He has spoken to a wide variety of audiences, including students in high school, community college, university, and law school, bar associations and lawyers, prosecutors, court clerks, court reporters, judges, Rotary and Kiwanis groups, and fund-raisers for non-profit foundations.

Topics:

  • Behind-the-Scenes of the Defense of the Green River Killer
  • Capital Punishment
  • Forensic Science in the Criminal Justice System
  • Forensic DNA in the Criminal Justice System
  • Trial Etiquette and Ethics

   

STATE OF WASHINGTON v. GARY RIDGWAY
The Defense of the Green River Killer

The Green River murders involved at least 49 victims, young women who had been murdered or had disappeared from 1982 to 1984. My twenty years of experience, especially with death penalty cases and cases involving DNA, put me in the position of co-lead counsel
 

2006-05-31

One after another, the Green River killer admitted he took the lives of more than 70 young women. The hunt for a suspect galvanized the Seattle-Tacoma area for more than 25 years. Finally the killer had a face: Gary Ridgway. The new novel "Defending Gary" describes the search for justice through the eyes of Mark Prothero, Ridgway's defense attorney.

Click Here to find out more about Mark Prothero's book Defending Gary: Unraveling the Mind of the Green River Killer

Attorney's new book takes you to Ridgway's murder trial Gary Ridgway's attorney attempts to explain motives
The Seattle Times, 06/02/06

Green River killer's defense lawyer pens new book
Northwest Cable News, May 31, 2006




References:

    David Novak, Lake Forest Park Rotary Club - "It was one of the most interesting and attention-holding presentations we have had in quite some time. Our only regret was that there was not enough time."

    Shannon Henderson, Kentwood High School - "This talk, accompanied by a superb PowerPoint project, sparked in my students an excitement in the field of law...I highly recommend Mark Prothero and his presentation as a highly educational experience. He has the ability to positively impact and educate our youth."

    Ed Donnerstein, Dean, University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences - "The lecture provided a fascinating insider's perspective that most would never be able to obtain. In addition, many students, faculty, and community members in attendance that day have mentioned to me how impressed they were with the presentation."

If you or someone you know would be interested in having Mark speak to a group, please contact him regarding dates.

Mark's daughter Marley defended her State championship in the 200 Individual Medley at the Washington State High School Girls Swimming Championships on November 10, 2007. She was also 3rd in the 100 Breast. She earned All-American consideration in both events. Here are links to a Seattle Times article about Marley and Mark and her swimming and his swim coaching:


HELPFUL LINKS


OTHER RESOURCES


Contact Mark W. Prothero Today
Toll Free: 1-866-691-7937 (24 hrs)

 



 



 


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