Tuba_Man.jpg
Ed McMichael or 'Tuba Man' at a game. (AP Photo)

Teen brags about murder; Tuba Man's brother reacts

BY Stephanie Klein  on January 19, 2011 @ 6:33 am (Updated: 1:30 pm - 3/28/11 )

By STEPHANIE KLEIN
MyNorthwest.com

The brother of a Seattle street musician who died after he was beat by a group of teenagers is upset one of the killers is bragging about the crime.

Kelsey McMichael told KIRO Radio's Dori Monson on Wednesday, "The bottom line is there was no justice for Ed at all. No justice. They killed him."

Listen: McMichael's interview

King County Sheriff's Sergeant John Urquhart said Billy Chambers, 18, was arrested Monday night after causing a disturbance aboard a Metro Bus at the Northgate transit center. He allegedly refused to pay the fare and stopped the bus from pulling away.

Urquhart said when officers arrived, "[Chambers] bragged how his lawyer got him off with only three months after stomping 'Tuba Man' to death. He went on to say that his lawyer would get him off of these charges as well."

Listen to Urquhart's interview

Chambers was one of three teens who beat McMichaels or 'Tuba Man' in November 2008. McMichaels died from his injuries a week later. He was well-known in the Seattle area for playing outside sporting and entertainment events.

Chambers spent three months in juvenile detention for McMichael's death.

"On his death certificate it says cause of death: Homicide. And what did they get? A few months for assault. That's it," McMichaels said. "There was nothing we could do. We felt helpless even though the prosecutors tried to keep us informed about all aspects of the investigation, but there was just nothing we could do about it."

Urquhart said Chambers was issued two tickets: one for obstructing or delaying a transit vehicle, which is a misdemeanor, and another for false representation that his group was eligible for a special fare, which is also a misdemeanor. Chambers was booked into King County Jail, but has been released.

Urquhart explained that Chambers was let go the next day after an equipment malfunction prevented prosecutors from receiving the case report in time to present to the judge. He said Chambers booked into jail based on his conduct Monday night and nothing more.

Chambers was also released two weeks ago after serving time for another robbery.

KIRO Radio's Dan Mitchinson contributed to this report.

Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Stephanie joined the MyNorthwest.com team in February 2008. She has built the site into a two-time National Edward R. Murrow Award winner (Best Radio Website 2010, 2012).
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Comments (51)


  • Add A Comment

  • Judy L wrote...
    I Hear (James Bibles') Crickets Also
    January 19, 2011 12:19 pm
    Of course, one thing this "kid" seems to not understand is that now he's 18, he can and will be charged as an adult for any crimes he commits. I just hope he doesn't have to kill another person for that to come true. Who taught this kid (and his friends) their morals? They certainly don't seem to have any!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • My Evil Friend wrote...
    OUTRAGE
    January 19, 2011 12:57 pm
    This little fecal turd watched/helped as KIDS beat a simple, nice human being to death. He gets 0 time at all in jail for the crime and now he's back out there being a complete waste in society. Sometimes...jail doesn't do any good...rehab doesn't do any good...The Bible does no good...Can someone please just go get rid of this piece trash once and for all? Is that too much to ask? People are sick and tired of this crap. Sick of it happening again over and over to the same people. GET RID OF HIM.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • seattle420 wrote...
    make him into a home caregiveror make him pay for one forever take it outa his pay check
    January 19, 2011 1:03 pm
    this killing was as they all are SENSLESSS
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HCDean wrote...
    Juvenile Accountability
    January 19, 2011 1:11 pm
    There is no such thing as juvenile accountability and they all know it! Now thanks to the Queen, there will be more of this. This kid is the kind of person that I hope the Cops take out for us instead of us having to rely on the justice system which won't do a dam thing!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Its obvious
    January 19, 2011 1:16 pm
    he needed the new Social Classes soon to be offered in Seattle.

    Yay Hug a Thug state to the depths you flow.

    California North here we come

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    All I can say to this peice of human debris Chambers is this,
    January 19, 2011 1:43 pm
    Watch your back, sucka! Vigilantism grows more and more likely each and every day due to scumbags such as you.

    It will happen one of these days.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steve Dallas wrote...
    I don't usually encourage vigilantes...
    January 19, 2011 2:54 pm
    But we need someone to put a bullet in this guy's brain.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • PBC wrote...
    Looks like it is time...
    January 19, 2011 3:05 pm
    ...to go all Boondock Saints on this guy. Oh wait, it was time to do that a long time ago. What a deplorable scum piece of trash.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WShadow206 wrote...
    someone
    January 19, 2011 3:16 pm
    needs to kill billy chambers see how he likes it. Wheres Dexter when you need him.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Witchwood wrote...
    Time was when murderers were hanged by the neck until dead.
    January 19, 2011 3:36 pm
    It's time to bring back the noose. A rope and gallows costs the taxpayer next to nothing, and I for one am not willing to provide this vermin with three meals and a warm bed every day for the next 80 years.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }