Seattle man found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2023 killing of pregnant woman

SEATTLE — A man charged in the fatal 2023 shooting of a pregnant woman in downtown Seattle has been found not guilty by reason of insanity and will be committed to a state psychiatric hospital, authorities said.

Cordell Goosby, who was 30 at the time of the shooting, had been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Eina Kwon, 34, and attempted first-degree murder for shooting her husband, Sung Kwon, who survived after being struck in the arm.

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The shooting occurred June 13, 2023, at Fourth Avenue and Lenora Street, where the couple was sitting in their car when police said Goosby approached and opened fire at random.

Before trial, Goosby’s defense attorneys notified prosecutors of their intent to pursue an insanity defense. A defense expert concluded Goosby was insane at the time of the shooting.

Prosecutors then hired an independent expert, who reached the same conclusion.

Seattle Police Department officers investigating a shooting in Belltown near the intersection of 4th Avenue and Lenora Street on June 13, 2023. (KOMO News)

With no dispute between experts, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office agreed to the not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity finding, which was entered Friday.

Under Washington law, such a finding means Goosby admits to committing the acts but is not held criminally responsible due to his mental state at the time. He will instead be committed to the custody of the state Department of Social and Health Services for treatment at a psychiatric hospital such as Western State Hospital.

Prosecutors emphasized that the ruling does not mean Goosby will be released.

Cordell Goosby, a convicted felon from Chicago, is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder for allegedly randomly shooting Eina Kwon and her husband Sung Kwon at a red light in Belltown during the day on June 13, 2023. (KOMO News)

“This does not mean that Mr. Goosby will be released to the streets, now, a week from now, or in the immediate future,” the office said in a statement.

Goosby could remain committed for up to life, with his confinement subject to ongoing evaluations and risk assessments by state officials. Any decision to grant him increased privileges or potential release would require notification to prosecutors and the King County Superior Court, both of which can object. Requests would also be reviewed by the state’s Public Safety Review Panel.

Ultimately, the court retains authority over whether Goosby is ever granted an unconditional release.

Officials noted that some individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity in serious felony cases, including homicides dating back decades, remain confined in state hospitals.

Prosecutors said they would have taken the case to trial if their expert had found Goosby sane at the time of the shooting.

Flowers and signs line the front of Eina Kwon’s restaurant as a memorial to honor the pregnant Seattle restaurant owner who was murdered in Belltown on June 13, 2023. (KOMO)

Kwon was pregnant when she was killed.

Prosecutors said state law does not allow a homicide charge for an unborn child unless the child was born alive. They also said there was insufficient evidence to file a manslaughter charge because there was no indication Goosby knew Kwon was pregnant.

Authorities said Goosby had no prior cases referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.