Man sentenced to 26 years in prison for 1993 murder of Bothell teen

The man who raped and strangled a Bothell teenager in 1993 will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Alan Edward Dean had an outburst in court Wednesday maintaining his innocence right before a Snohomish County judge sentenced him to nearly 27 years in prison, with credit for time served. The sentencing came more than three decades after the brutal killing of 15-year-old Melissa Lee.
It was in 1993 that Melissa was raped and strangled and her body was thrown from an Everett bridge. Dean was arrested for Lee’s murder in 2020 when DNA found at the scene tied him to the crime. There were four years of legal delays due to mental health concerns before a jury found him guilty in late March.
At the sentencing Wednesday, Lee’s mother and sister gave emotional testimony about how Dean's actions flipped their lives upside down, as they urged the judge to give Dean the maximum possible sentence. The prosecutor explained the maximum sentence for first-degree murder in Washington state would be 320 months because Dean had no prior offenses.
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[@brandynewman5747]

What a pathetic maximum sentence for first degree murder! Disgraceful

[@WalkiTalki]

Wow 30 years later and it is more dangerous for young people in Seattle. I hope here mother gets justice in this situation.

[@PNWMOTION]

How is the max sentence 27 years? Am I missing something here

[@ElChingonFPV]

320 months? What a weak state.

[@ESLYNEFILICIANA]

Waw,that guy really has nerves.

[@TRUTHRULES777]

It’s time for change in the Pacific Northwest and the way things are ran from the top to the bottom. We need to have stricter Laws because we have many more people in our country and there’s going to be and has been many more problems. Time for change I am very sorry for this little girl and her family, heartbreaking🌞🕊❤️

[@martyreynolds6790]

Wow!!! That was the maximum penalty!! That's not even close to what it should be, regardless if it was his first offense. 😮😢

[@vickismith3052]

How come it to long

[@juwanharris5425]

Usual suspect

[@G2thePee]

4 years of legal delays due to mental health concerns. Way too much concern about the wellbeing of perpetrators what a joke

[@UnfilteredAmerica]

Right?!?!?!?