Contractor Guilty In Armed Abduction

Contractor guilty

in armed abduction

SEATTLE

A Des Moines contractor has been convicted of the 1987 armed abduction of Vincent Mullally, a North Seattle homebuilder and Broadmoor resident.

A King County jury deliberated nearly four hours yesterday before finding Donald William Miniken Jr., 34, guilty of first-degree kidnapping.

Michael Patricelli, the gunman who actually abducted Mullally, testified that the crime was set up by Miniken. Jurors were told that Miniken was in a nearby van on Oct. 9, 1987, when Mullally was put in the trunk of his Mercedes outside his business and driven to the Woodinville area. Mullally later was able to free himself.

Patricelli could not be prosecuted because the three-year statute of limitations for the crime ran out Oct. 9. He was not identified as being a part of the scheme until early this month.

Hogan told the jury the abduction was a crime of greed. Miniken admitted he needed $150,000 for his debts to organized-crime figures.

Deputy Prosecutor Michael Hogan said he would seek a stiff sentence for Miniken.