India, May 27 -- The King County prosecutor's office has charged Bellevue man Christopher Leahy with premeditated murder in the brutal killing of transgender University of Washington student Juniper Blessing, 19, on May 10. The premeditated murder charge, plus a sentencing enhancement for using a deadly weapon, means that if Leahy is convicted, he faces between 22 to 29 years in prison.

The county prosecutor did not provide a specific motive for Leahy's alleged actions, but referenced only "the uncontrolled rage evidenced by horrific injuries he inflicted on Juniper Blessing." A charging document claimed that Leahy, 31, "stalked another UW student across a multi-building apartment complex eventually following this second student into the...