News

Custer man accused of killing Bellingham accountant goes to trial

2 months ago in Crime, Local

Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Walker

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Custer man accused of killing a Bellingham accountant earlier this month is going to trial.

Court documents state 61-year-old Donald Malone pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on Friday, Aug. 15 in Whatcom County Superior Court.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Malone turned himself into the sheriff’s office the day after Vaughn Hagen was killed.

Hagen was the executor of Malone’s late mother’s will and had offered to help Malone clean out his parent’s garage.

Shortly after Hagen arrived at the house, Malone told detectives he shot Hagen several times without saying a word.

When asked why he did it, Malone said he didn’t like Hagen, without giving any reason why.

Malone’s trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 29 and is expected to last four days.

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