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Second person sentenced in connection to death of Bellingham man at encampment

Second person sentenced in connection to death of Bellingham man at encampment

Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Walker


BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A second person has been sentenced for his role in the death of a Bellingham man in an encampment.

Court documents state that 34-year-old Gale Jefferson pled guilty to two charges – rendering criminal assistance and unlawful imprisonment – back in July.

He was sentenced to just under a year and a half in prison for his role in the death of Zachariah Janusiewicz.

Janusiewicz was killed in April 2024 by Jefferson’s partner, Coleen Clark, after the pair falsely accused him of stealing their money.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Clark tripped while chasing Janusiewicz through an encampment and fired a single shot into his torso.

Janusiewicz later died from his injuries.

Clark pled guilty to three charges, including manslaughter, and was sentenced to 10 years behind bars back in June.

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