The Beachcomber has previously reported on these cases in the criminal justice system.

We strive to follow up on the case of anyone charged with a crime who is named in the paper.

Here’s where these cases currently stand.

Brian Laur

Laur was charged with felony harassment on Aug. 17, 2022, over allegations he brandished a knife and threatened to kill an islander at King County’s Metro Park and Ride located at 20221 Vashon Highway SW. He pled not guilty.

Prosecutors took Laur to trial on June 26. The trial ended on July 7, with a mistrial declared, as the jury deadlocked and could not come to a decision as to whether Laur was guilty or not guilty. The Beachcomber has reached out to the prosecutor’s office for more information on what happens next.

James Warren

Update: On Sept. 11, 2023, Warren was found not guilty of the crime described below. For more information, read this article.

Warren is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the attempted killing of islander Duncan Mayshark. The alleged crime took place on Feb. 9, in the 19000 block of 87th PL SW, on Vashon. Warren has entered a plea of not guilty.

His trial began Aug. 28 in King County Superior Court; opening statements were expected on Sept. 5, with closing arguments expected around Sept. 11.

Luciano Alvarado-Fuentes

Alvarado-Fuentes was charged with third-degree rape, a felony, on Nov. 16, 2021, after he allegedly assaulted a 19-year-old woman at a Vashon Island home where both he and the woman were present. He has entered a plea of not guilty. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 9 in King County Superior Court.

Alexander Kindred

Kindred is charged with hit-and-run in the death of islander Philip Cushman, a well-known psychologist, educator and author who was fatally struck by a car while he was walking on Thorsen Road in the early evening of Aug. 22, 2022. Kindred has entered a plea of not guilty. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 13 in King County Superior Court.

Jesus Ruiz-Hernandez

Ruiz-Hernandez is charged with forced labor and smuggling, harboring or transporting undocumented people into the U.S. He has been indicted by federal grand juries on 23 felony charges altogether — the first three last November, seven more in March, and 13 more in July. He has entered not-guilty pleas against each. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 2, 2024, in U.S. District Court.

Correction: This article, as it appeared in the Aug. 31 print edition of The Beachcomber and a previous online version, erred in saying that Alexander Kindred’s trial date was scheduled for Oct. 23. The trial was recently rescheduled to take place on Dec. 13. We strive for accuracy and regret the error.