Ex-Yakima Resident Harper Gets Prison in Kirkland Stabbing

A 49-year-old former Yakima resident who was charged with the murder of three people in Yakima in 2011 has been sentenced to more than 32-years in prison for a near fatal stabbing of a woman at a Kirkland home in 2019.

 WORKING AS A PLUMBER WHEN THE STABBING HAPPENED

Police say Kevin Harper from Arlington was working as a plumber when he stabbed the woman at her Kirkland home. Harper was arrested for attempted murder, robbery and attempted kidnapping. He was sentenced in the case on Friday after pleading guilty to the crimes.

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THE KILLING OF THE GOGGIN FAMILY

In 2011 Harper, formerly of Yakima was charged with murder for killing 3 members of the Goggin family in West Valley. Problems with the case prevented prosecutors from convincing the court to dismiss a plea deal to lesser charges so the murder charges could be reinstated. As a result Harper was sentenced on unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property charges. Harper was sentenced to 6-years in prison.

RELEASED FROM PRISON AND A MOVE TO KING COUNTY

Harper was released from prison in July 2017 and moved to King County where police say he committed the murder in 2019. Police say Harper stabbed the woman mutiple times and then poured a cleaning solution on her. She was able to survive and crawl into the street from her home and look for help. The woman says she's still in pain and is now disabled.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE CRIME IN YAKIMA?

Many in Yakima still believe he killed Bill and Pauline Goggin and his 98-year-old mother, Bettye, during a burglary at thier home in 2011 but he never was convicted in the crime of murder in Yakima County.