Suspect arrested this week in Portland
By CASEY MCNERTHNEY
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF
When Seth Frankel was found stabbed to death in his Auburn Apartment last May, police asked his friends who might have killed him.
His former wife said he was a good guy, as did co-workers at the city of Kent, where Frankel worked as his videographer. The only name that stuck out was one his girlfriend gave police: William L. Phillip Jr.
Phillip hadn't met Frankel, but allegedly called him ugly, and complained of the age difference between Frankel, 41, and the woman, Phillip's former girlfriend. She was about 10 years younger than Frankel.
So police went to talk to Phillip on May 25, three days after Frankel was found dead.
Investigators say he immediately asked for legal counsel.
During another visit May 28, detectives noted bruising on Phillip's right hand and a Band-Aid covering the webbing between this thumb and index finger on the same hand. He told police it was an injury from his work at the Oregon Convention Center.
But a co-worker allegedly told police when Phillip had been injured on the job May 17, he didn't have open cuts. While investigating that injury, they also found Phillip worked with the same type of cable ties found at scene of Frankel's death.
On Friday, Phillip was charged with first-degree murder.
Investigators think Phillip borrowed his mom's car to drive to Frankel's apartment from Portland. Police searched his phone records, which showed he made cell phone calls going north on Interstate 5 to Kent about 4 p.m. the day Frankel died, according to court documents.
Frankel was killed at his home near West Auburn High School, stabbed multiple times in the arms and neck. Phillip was arrested this week in Portland.
On Dec. 8, the State Patrol Crime Lab told police Phillip's DNA was found on a bloody towel at the crime scene, according to court documents.
Phillip's arraignment, where he's expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for Dec. 21.
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