Activist Seattle-area judge frees teens accused of brutally assaulting transgender person

Two Renton High School brothers, ages 15 and 17, were released this week on electronic home monitoring after being accused of viciously assaulting a 39-year-old transgender person near the Renton Transit Center. The decision, made by King County Judge Veronica Galvan, comes despite police describing the attack as a “savage beating” that left the victim with multiple facial fractures and the need for reconstructive surgeries.

The victim, Nikki Armstrong, told police Armstrong had earlier confronted the teens for harassing a security guard. Hours later, the group chased Armstrong down, knocked her to the ground, and pummeled Armstrong with fists and kicks while making homophobic remarks. “They were choking me while one of them was stomping on my face,” Armstrong said.

According to Fox 13, Renton police arrested two suspects at the scene and are still seeking two more. Prosecutors referred charges, including second-degree assault, strangulation, and a possible hate crime enhancement.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Judge Galvan released both boys on electronic monitoring with permission to participate in “pro-social activities” such as football, and ordered only a probation counselor-set curfew and no-contact order with the victim.

This is not the first time Galvan has raised eyebrows for controversial releases. In 2024, Galvan released a 17-year-old suspected of causing the death of US Army Staff Sergeant Bryan Tomaszewski in a DUI crash. Prosecutors argued for probable cause of vehicular homicide, but Galvan dismissed the case for “insufficient information.” Tomaszewski left behind a wife and young daughter.

That same year, she released teens involved in a shooting at a local parade, and a 12-year-old accused of using a ghost gun in a carjacking.

In 2019, Galvan released a homeless repeat offender accused of bashing a musician over the head with a bat outside a nightclub. She previously freed prolific offender Berge, who had over 70 arrests, who later brutally murdered his girlfriend before taking his own life. In 2017, Galvan voided a ballot measure that would have banned taxpayer-funded heroin injection sites.

Galvan has openly described her role on the bench as a form of political activism. In a past social media post, she wrote, “What does resistance look like when you wear a black robe? … I shall continue to educate, to learn, and to speak my truth as both a judge AND a woman of color … ensuring our practices conform to our principles.”

Critics argue her decisions put ideology ahead of public safety, with devastating results for victims.

Armstrong now faces reconstructive surgeries to Armstrong's face and has launched a fundraiser to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Despite the attack, Armstrong told Fox 13 that she hopes the teens can turn their lives around, but acknowledged that “bad kids become bad adults” if the system fails to intervene.

The two brothers are due back in court on Friday, where prosecutors are expected to press for formal charges. Meanwhile, Renton police continue searching for the other two teens involved in the assault.