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October 5th, 2005

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES FILING OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES

SKAGIT COUNTY - Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Seguine announced today that he will file a charge of First Degree Premeditated Murder against Marvin A. Ballsmider, DOB 5/5/1943.  Mr. Ballsmider is accused of causing the death of William Munich on October 1, 2005 in an incident occurring at Campbell Lake on Fidalgo Island.

As a result of the charges, Ballsmider will face a potential prison term between 240 and 320 months.  The charging document also contains an allegation that the crime was committed with a firearm, a so-called firearm enhancement.  The enhancement increases the presumptive minimum sentence by 60 months.

Mr. Ballsmider will be arraigned in Skagit County Superior Court on Thursday, October 13, 2005.  Bail in the case is currently set at $1,000,000.  Mr. Ballsmider is currently represented by Lowell Ashbach.  A trial date will be set at the arraignment.

Further inquiries may be directed to Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Seguine at 336-9460.