A Renton man allegedly involved in the 2015 robbery and shooting death of a Vancouver precious metals shop employee continued his silent streak Friday during his arraignment.
Thomas Philip Leae, 24, would not answer any questions or sign any documents when he appeared before Clark County Superior Court Judge Daniel Stahnke. He had also remained mum at his first appearance on April 9.
He faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the Nov. 25, 2015, slaying of Bentley Brookes, 58, of Camas.
Leae’s defense attorney, Tony Lowe, asked that a not-guilty plea be entered. Stahnke scheduled his trial for June 11.
Leae’s girlfriend, 18-year-old Ailiana Siufanua of Des Moines, shot Brookes in the face during a robbery at Pacific Bullion Precious Metals, 701 Main St., while Leae acted as the getaway driver, court records state. The couple then fled in a stolen car and were on the lam for days before the car was spotted Nov. 30, 2015, on Interstate 5 in Glenn County, Calif., by a California Highway Patrol officer. A 40-mile, high-speed pursuit ensued, which ended when the stolen car left the road and struck a tree, killing Siufanua, according to The Davis (Calif.) Enterprise.
In October, a California jury convicted Leae of second-degree murder, evading police and vehicle theft in connection with the fatal crash. He was sentenced to 25 years, eight months to life, The Davis Enterprise reported.
