‘Worst set of allegations.’ No-bail hold for Pierce County man charged with murder
A Pierce County man accused in the 2024 death of his former girlfriend will be held in custody at the Pierce County Jail on a no-bail hold, with a court commissioner citing his “propensity for violence.”
Prosecutors charged Kai Domonic Butler, 29, with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and first-degree criminal mistreatment in the March 14, 2024 incident. He is accused of either having murdered or recklessly causing the death of Tashylah Combs, 23.
Butler is accused of unlawfully imprisoning Combs in his car before he allegedly made an “aggressive driving move” that caused her to fall out of the car. She died five days later from blunt-force injury to the head.
A bench warrant was issued for Butler’s arrest almost two years after Combs’ death. He turned himself in, according to his defense attorney, James White. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf during his arraignment Thursday afternoon.
Prosecutors argued that Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille should order a no-bail hold for Butler. Deputy prosecuting attorney Stephanie Roberts said Butler showed an inclination for violence due to his 18 criminal convictions, 11 which were domestic-violence related. She added there are 10 separate no-contact orders against him involving multiple victims, two which are active. He also has an active bench warrant through Fife Municipal Court.
Letters of support from Butler’s family and a coworker were submitted to the court to vouch for his character. A letter from his wife said Butler has grown as a person and is looking forward to taking care of the baby they are expecting. A letter from his grandmother stated Butler was devastated “when this tragedy happened.”
“I read all of the letters of support for Mr. Butler,” Roberts said. “Everyone indicates that after this tragic incident, he basically got himself straight. No one says Kai would never have done this.”
White argued his client is not a danger to the community. He said Butler has gone through counseling and created a new, healthy family. He said Butler recently finished an internship program to be a coder.
McInvaille ruled Butler be held at the jail on no bail.
“I do find by clear and convincing evidence that this defendant shows propensity for violence, and he creates a substantial likelihood of danger to the community,” the commissioner said.
McInvaille said the case is “one of the worst set of allegations” in her time dealing with domestic-violence cases.
Charging details
The incident began outside Combs’ mother’s house in the Frederickson area where Combs was captured through Ring camera footage telling Butler she wanted to break up. An argument ensued about her missing phone, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Combs’ ex-boyfriend was living at her house at the time and came outside. Butler had pulled her from his car at one point while she was looking for her phone. Butler allegedly drove his vehicle at the ex-boyfriend, forcing him to move out of the way, documents show.
Documents show while Combs was leaning into Butler’s car to find her phone, he allegedly made “an aggressive driving move.” This caused Combs to fall into the vehicle and the door to shut. Butler then drove out of the neighborhood. The ex-boyfriend reported hearing shouts and screams from the car.
“As Butler turned north onto 78th Ave E from 165th St Ct E, Combs either jumped, was pushed, or otherwise fell out of his moving vehicle, striking her head on the road and knocking her unconscious,” a detective wrote in charging documents.
Combs was injured at about 10:09 p.m., according to cell-phone data. When her ex-boyfriend tried to call her, a message from 10:16 p.m. sent from her phone said, “Leave me alone.” Another message said, “You ruined everything.” Detectives said Combs could not have sent the messages because she was unconscious.
Detectives believe her phone was in Butler’s vehicle throughout the evening. The phone was later found in his possession, documents show.
A detective alleged Butler chose not to get medical attention for Combs for about five hours. It was also alleged his version of events changed multiple times when speaking to Combs’ family and police.
Butler alleged Combs jumped from his car, and he turned around before he put her back in his vehicle. He said he drove to his mother’s house and had his cousin help carry her into the house. Butler reported putting a towel on Combs’ head with some ice. He alleged he did not call 911 because his phone was dead, documents show.
Documents show Butler took Combs to St. Joseph Medical Center at 3 a.m. at his cousin’s urging.
Butler said he drove Combs to the hospital once his phone was charged, and he called her mother, documents show. Combs was pronounced dead March 19, 2024.
