SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle lawyer who was accused of scratching three vehicles with his keys and leaving notes criticizing the drivers’ parking skills has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
The Seattle Times says 63-year-old Ronald Clarke Mattson pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted second-degree malicious mischief, a gross misdemeanor. A Superior Court judge gave him a one-year suspended sentence and 240 hours of community service.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Mary Barbosa says because Mattson took responsibility for “keying” the cars at a downtown parking garage, paid nearly $10,000 in restitution, took anger management courses and had no previous criminal history, the charge was reduced from second-degree malicious mischief, a felony.
Two cars targeted in March had been parked over the designated parking space lines. Building security captured Mattson on surveillance video keying a “bait car.”
