One Year Later: The Brame Shootings - Where are they now?

A status report on the key figures in the David Brame scandal

RAY CORPUZ

Then: Tacoma city manager;

he appointed David Brame police chief in 2001, despite knowledge of problems in his background.

Now: Retired under pressure from City Council, July 2003; receives retirement benefits equal to $101,000 annually.

CATHERINE WOODARD

Then: Assistant police chief;

appointed by Brame in January 2002. Knew of his death threats against his wife, Crystal, and of his pursuit of sex with a subordinate.

Now: Placed on administrative leave by Corpuz on May 1, 2003; retired on permanent disability in November, with annual benefits of $65,000.

SHELLEY KERSLAKE

Then: Assistant city attorney;

knew of rape allegation against Brame, relayed information to Corpuz, moved to seal court records mentioning the allegation.

Now: Resigned in August 2003; now employed by a private law firm in Issaquah.

ROBIN JENKINSON

Then: City attorney;

participated in disputed meeting of April 25, 2003, between legal department and human resources department. Said placing Brame on administrative leave was not discussed.

Now: Resigning as city attorney effective April 30 to be city attorney in Kirkland.

JIM MATTHEIS

Then: Police public information officer; attended April 10, 2003, court hearing on Brame's divorce.

Now: Resigned in January to become director of security at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Chehalis.

PHIL KNUDSEN

Then: Human resources director; participated in disputed April 25, 2003, meeting between legal department and human resources. Said placing Brame on administrative leave was discussed.

Now: Placed on administrative leave by City Manager Jim Walton, allegedly for interfering in hiring and promotion decisions; has filed whistle-blower complaint, saying he faces retaliation for his actions in Brame case.

MARY BROWN

Then: Assistant human resources director; participated in disputed April 25, 2003, meeting between legal department and human resources. Said placing Brame on administrative leave was discussed.

Now: Has since obtained job with Tacoma Public Utilities; also filed a whistle-blower complaint, saying she felt pressured to change her story about the April 25 meeting. The complaint was dismissed.

WILLIAM MEEKS

Then: Police captain; appointed assistant chief by Brame in April 2003. Knew of domestic violence in Brame's marriage in 1996.

Now: Self-demoted to captain in September 2003 and later left on paid medical leave. Returned to duty last week.

JIM WALTON

Then: Longtime deputy city manager. Was promoted to the top job after Corpuz left.

Now: City Council members credit Walton with stabilizing the organization during the aftermath of the shootings. Nearing retirement, Walton is expected to stay through early next year to help ease in a new city manager. The council has yet to begin the search for a replacement.

DON RAMSDELL

Then: Assistant chief in charge of the police department's Operations Bureau. Took over May 1 as chief of the department.

Now: Despite concerns about whether the department needs an outside reformer, Ramsdell and his team have tackled issues that plagued the department under Brame - including cronyism and inconsistent dealings with domestic violence allegations.

ELIZABETH PAULI

Then: Assistant city attorney; participated in disputed meeting of April 25, 2003, between legal department and human resources department. Said removing Brame's gun and badge was not discussed.

Now: Named interim city attorney, effective May 1.

Sean Robinson, The News Tribune

This story was originally published April 25, 2004 at 3:01 AM with the headline "One Year Later: The Brame Shootings - Where are they now?."