Career criminal arrested for slamming board with screw into elderly woman’s eye socket in random Seattle attack

According to the felony information filed in King County Superior Court, prosecutors allege the assault happened on or about Dec. 5, 2025, near 3rd Avenue and James Street in downtown Seattle, and that Fale Vaigalepa Pea, 42, acted “with intent to inflict great bodily harm” against Jeannette M. Marken. The charging document also includes a deadly weapon allegation, describing the weapon as “a wooden board with a screw at the end of it.”

King County Sheriff’s Office deputies detained Pea a short time later near 3rd Avenue and Cherry Street, after which he was transported to the King County Jail. Court filings say Marken was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, and blindness in her right eye. A detective later reported being told there was only a 10 percent chance she would regain vision in that eye and that surgery might be needed, potentially including removal of the eye.

In a separate filing, prosecutors asked a judge to set bail at $1 million, arguing Pea is both a flight risk and a danger to the community. The incident was captured on a newly released video, obtained by KOMO News. Prosecutors wrote that the alleged attack was “violent, random, and wholly unjustified,” and said the victim had been standing on a street corner waiting to cross when the assault occurred.

Court documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI describe Pea walking behind Marken, then dropping a suitcase so he could grip the board “with both hands,” winding up and swinging the board at her face and head. The screw at the end of the board “cut into the victim’s face and head,” the documents say, and the force of the strike knocked her down before the suspect picked up his bag and continued walking away.

Police reports included in the court record say witnesses compared the swing to a baseball bat and reported the blow caused heavy bleeding; the victim fell backward and struck a nearby Lime bike. Investigators say multiple witnesses called 911 and provided aid while police and medics responded.

In arguing for $1 million bail, prosecutors said Pea has a prior second-degree assault conviction from 2011 and multiple misdemeanor assault convictions in later years. They also cited a history of missed court appearances, saying he has had nine bench warrants issued for failing to appear since 2021. The state also asked for conditions, including electronic home monitoring if bond is posted and a no-contact order with the victim.