Jury selection is expected to begin Monday in the trial of 27-year-old Nicholas Matthew, who stands accused of a brutal stabbing that took place along a popular trail in Point Defiance Park early last year.
Matthew faces a charge of first-degree attempted murder for allegedly attacking a woman in broad daylight on February 10, 2024. He has opted to represent himself in court.
The incident occurred as the victim was walking alone when, according to court documents, she was approached from behind and stabbed multiple times. She later recounted that during the violent struggle, she fought back and even tried to offer her attacker money in hopes of ending the assault. A nearby passerby heard her screams and intervened, managing to stop the attack.
The victim described her experience in vivid detail, recalling how, while trying to fend off her attacker from the ground, the overwhelming thought was that she couldn’t believe this might be how her life ended, especially when there was still so much she hadn’t experienced. She said her attacker told her to tilt her neck back so he could “end her pain.”
Matthew was taken into custody more than a month later, with investigators reporting that he was planning to leave the country on the day of his arrest.
At his arraignment last year, prosecutors revealed that Matthew’s mother had informed authorities about his past mental health diagnosis. Despite this history, a court-ordered mental health evaluation concluded that Matthew was competent to stand trial.
If jury selection proceeds as expected, opening arguments could begin as early as Monday afternoon.
