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Man accused of throwing 62-year-old woman down stairs in random attack will get $250 per day from taxpayers each day he's not in treatment
Image source: KING-TV video screenshot (left); KCPQ-TV video screenshot (right)

Man accused of throwing 62-year-old woman down stairs in random attack will get $250 per day from taxpayers each day he's not in treatment

The man accused of throwing a 62-year-old woman down stairs at a Seattle train station in a March random attack will get $250 per day at taxpayers' expense for each day he's not in treatment.

Say what?

Alexander Jay was charged with second-degree assault in connection with the attack, KCPQ-TV reported, adding that he also was charged with first-degree assault after a stabbing at a bus stop near the train station that same day.

In April, Jay was ruled incompetent to stand trial and ordered to spend the next three months in an inpatient facility until he understands the charges made against him, the station said.

But it's been more than 100 days, and since the state still hasn't placed Jay into an inpatient facility, his defense called for his release, KING-TV reported.

So, why hasn't he been placed into a facility? No beds, apparently.

“The only reason it has stalled this long is that the government has not provided him a bed to get well in. That’s barbaric. That is not the behavior of a civilized society, and I find it extraordinarily offensive and heartbreaking,” King County Superior Court Judge Johanna Bender said, according to KING.

The state estimated a bed for Jay won't be available until mid-August, KOMO-TV reported.

With that, Bender found the Department of Social and Health Services in contempt of court for failing to admit Jay to treatment, calling it a violation of his constitutional rights, KING added.

Jay will remain in jail due to the severity of the charges against him, but Bender also ordered the state to pay him $250 per day for each day he remains out of a treatment facility, KING added.

Those charges began accruing May 9, KCPQ reported, adding that taxpayers likely will have forked over more than $17,000 to Jay by the time he gets a bed in a facility.

DSHS officials told KCPQ Jay's situation isn't uncommon — in fact, nearly 400 people in jail are waiting for beds with DSHS.

Criminal record dating back to 2000

Citing court documents, Jay has a criminal record dating back to 2000, KCPQ reported, adding that recent charges against him include home burglary, assault, attempted assault, and domestic violence.

Kim Hayes, the woman who was tossed down the stairs at the train station, pleaded with the court Thursday to keep Jay in jail, KING said.

"He will harm someone. I am absolutely 100% sure of it. If he gets back out he will, he will repeat offend, and I have absolute 100% assurance – I know that that will happen," Hayes said, according to the station.

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