Auburn Man Charged In Enumclaw Slaying

ENUMCLAW - Prosecutors have charged Michael Glen Walker, 37, of Auburn with first-degree murder in the slaying of Bill Stahlman, 51, who was found July 26 in the front yard of his Enumclaw home with a slashed throat and gunshot wound.

Walker was arrested at his home Thursday. Bail was set at $500,000.

Court documents say Walker went to Stahlman's house July 24 with a juvenile. The two met Stahlman and entered his house.

Stahlman turned to put out his cigarette, and Walker shot him as he turned back around, the documents say. Stahlman then stumbled outside, and Walker allegedly got a machete from a truck and slit his throat.

Police had said earlier that Walker allegedly killed Stahlman over a dispute involving a woman and money. The woman had been involved with Stahlman but recently had started a relationship with Walker, police said.

The woman claims Stahlman reneged on an agreement in which he and another friend were to sell some of her property and split the proceeds with her, police said. Prosecutors said Walker allegedly asked Stahlman about the property dispute just before he shot him.

According to court documents, neighbors heard a gunshot between 2 and 3 p.m. July 24 and saw two people run from the house. Because Stahlman was known to engage in target practice, his neighbors were not concerned.

When neighbors had not seen Stahlman by July 26, they went to his house and discovered his body.