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Family of Craigslist killing victim Jim Sanders feuds over funds

BY Alyssa Kleven  on November 28, 2012 @ 3:33 pm (Updated: 5:35 am - 11/29/12 )

JimSanders.jpg
Two years after the tragic death of Jim Sanders, his family is having to turn to the court for help regarding money raised in his name. (Family Photo/File)
He was 14-years-old and one of the victims of a brutal home invasion attack. He heard the gunshot that killed his father, when four intruders posing as interested buyers of a ring posted for sale on Craigslist held his family hostage.

Jimmy Sanders, now 16, told KIRO TV he has PTSD. It's not surprising. He, his stepmother Charlene, and his then-11-year-old stepbrother Chandler witnessed the violent escalation that led to his father's death.

But his uncle, Derek, said the family just wants him back. A short time after his father died, Jimmy moved back in with his mother, Pam Knoll. Together, Jimmy and Knoll have filed a lawsuit against Charlene, because Jimmy hasn't received any money from a fund set up in Jim Sanders' name.

They say he should get half, because donations to the fund were expected to go to the family, not just Charlene. Charlene was set up as the beneficiary of the fund established at the salon where she worked.

Jimmy told KIRO TV that he would use the money for a new car, college, and maybe one day his wedding.

According to Derek, there just isn't that kind of money in the fund.

"There was originally, probably enough to replace a couple months of my brothers wages," Derek told The Ron & Don Show. "[Charlene] used that to pay bills, a couple credit cards - debt things that they had, because she knew she was going to be on a single person's income going forward."

What money is left in the fund now has not been disclosed to the public.

Attorney Anne Bremner, who does not represent Knoll and Jimmy in the lawsuit filed against Charlene, but who is helping determine whether a separate lawsuit should be filed, said the amount of money doesn't matter.

"We've never really heard from Pam in the past, but she's Jimmy's mom," Bremner told Ron & Don. "They're simply saying that they're part of the family too," whether it's $5 or $5,000.

Derek was eager to tell the other side of the story. When the initial report was aired Tuesday, TV crews had not yet been able to speak to Charlene Sanders, who was working that day.

For Derek, there are concerns that it's only about money - and it's not about family. He said that's how it's been since day one. While he can't speak to his brother's relationship with his ex-wife, or any other family member's relationship with Knoll, Derek said that the actions he's observed have been "vengeful."

The lawsuit filed against Charlene isn't the only lawsuit in the works. Derek said that Charlene has already declined to file a lawsuit against the Washington State Department of Corrections. "We're not interested in turning Jim's death into profit."

While Derek said that Knoll and Jimmy were moving forward with the other lawsuit, Bremner, who is working on that case, said that Charlene is still considering action, if any is even taken regarding the DOC.

In the past two years since Jim passed away, Derek said he's only seen Jimmy about 10 times. Several of those occasions took place at the criminal court proceedings of those found guilty for Jim's death.

But Derek wants more of a relationship with his nephew.

"We have told Jimmy that we would love to have a relationship with him, we would love to be able to see him. We care about him, we pray about him on a regular basis. But it's going to have to be him stepping up to his mom saying, 'I know what I need. I need family and I need support.'"

Derek said that Charlene hopes that mediation is an option. It's the process they're trying to move forward with now.

As for things Jimmy wants to pay for - the car, college, his wedding - Derek said he hopes Jimmy will realize that he should live by his father's example.

He wants Jimmy to think about the way his dad raised him. "He's going to have to stand up and become a man."

Exterior Photo: AP Photo/The News Tribune, Drew Perine

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Alyssa Kleven is an editor and content producer at MyNorthwest.com. She enjoys doting over her adorable dachshund Winnie - named for Arcade Fire front-man Win Butler.
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Comments (24)


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  • Shplunker wrote...
    The answer is..
    November 29, 2012 2:10 pm
    another fund raiser...just for Charlene. And the Cee U Next Tuesday ex-wife can go try to extort someone else.
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  • allchik wrote...
    ok I agree about the expenses
    November 29, 2012 2:16 pm
    but sounds to me like there was more than that. Cover expenses and everything else divided fair and square between the son and the step mom. Put it in a trust fund 'til he's 21 whatever! If you're still stuck in ur foolish ways of cutting the son off completely. Then I will kindley keep my opinion of you to myslef and agree to disagree. All I'm saying is if I was the one who was gone I would defintely want my child to get a share of it and not just my spous and there kid.
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  • nwdwellings wrote...
    How sad...
    November 29, 2012 2:20 pm
    for everyone involved.
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  • 2112 wrote...
    I think you guys are missing the point
    November 29, 2012 3:52 pm
    They are only going after the charitable contributions made as a precursor, setting a precedent so when when the BIG pay day comes after the successful jury award against the taxpayers, they will be in the catbird seat.
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  • Neighbor123 wrote...
    The Fund Raisers were for the "Family"
    December 9, 2012 2:00 pm
    Fund Raisers were conducted for the family in the community, not just at the stepmoms salon. Kids at Jimmy's school raised money and had their parents donate to the fund. The reason many gave was because of the feelings they had for the 14 year old that was pistol whipped and watched his father murdered. Would people have been so generous if they were not lead to believe the funds would benefit this kid? I would not have donated a dime to benefit a woman that had so little common sense as to invite strangers into her home from craigslist and put those kids in harms way. Women lose their husbands every day..sad but it happens..not quite the same emotional impact as the story of the 14 year old boy. The fund should have been named for the wife if it was not intended to benefit the biological child also
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