Gov. Ferguson cancels parole of inmate convicted in brutal 1980 SeaTac murders

In a pivotal move, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has canceled the parole of Timothy Robert Pauley, a man convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in a notorious 1980 triple homicide at the Barn Door Tavern in SeaTac. Ferguson's decision came after the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board had granted Pauley parole earlier this year, demonstrating the governor's concerns over Pauley's rehabilitation and public safety. The governor highlighted troubling evidence from Pauley's parole record, including derogatory remarks about prison staff and indications that he condoned violence. Ferguson noted that Pauley, now 66, has spent over four decades in prison, yet he remains unconvinced of Pauley's complete accountability for his actions. This decision marks the second time in recent years that a Washington governor has intervened in Pauley's case, with former Governor Inslee denying parole in 2022.

The cancellation means Pauley will not be released under a three-year supervision plan scheduled for March 27, 2025, and will continue to serve his life sentence. State law allows the governor to intervene in such parole decisions, reflecting the ongoing complexities surrounding rehabilitation and public safety. The Indeterminate Sentence Review Board has not yet responded to Ferguson's decision.