Maleke Pate is charged with four counts of murder for the Oct. 2021 killings of 42-year-old Maria Nunez-Iese, her son, 19-year-old Emery Iese, Nunez-Iese’s brother 22-year-old Raymond Williams, and Williams’ girlfriend, 22-year-old Natasha Brincefield.At moments during the hearing, the sound of crying overtook the prosecuting attorney’s opening statements.Some family members even covered their ears to block out the recounting of the disturbing and tragic story of the murders.
Ko also mentioned jail phone calls between Pate and his mother that were recorded. Investigators say these phone calls show the two schemed a defense in which they claim Pate’s mom had a lot of sexual partners, and that the gun could have come from one of them.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tacoma mass shooting: Opening statements begin in 2021 quadruple murder caseKo said during her opening statement there is still no motive.