RAVENSDALE, Wash. — The man charged with second-degree murder in the homicide investigation of a beloved Ravensdale husband and father who was killed in September made his first court appearance Thursday.
Andrew Ralph Baim has been charged with second-degree murder, second-degree arson and two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle.
Baim pleaded not guilty Thursday and will remain in custody on $4 million bail. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 14.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office argued Baim poses a “significant danger to the safety of the community” and is a “substantial flight risk,” according to court documents.
The documents said on Sept. 21 at around 7:30 a.m., a 911 call reported that 53-year-old Nick Valison had confronted several people who were possibly illegally dumping trash in a wooded area near 329th Place Southeast and 327th Way Southeast and was assaulted.
King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) deputies found Valison unresponsive and he was pronounced dead by paramedics.
Authorities learned during the investigation that the neighborhood had been having problems with illegal dumping and that Valison was checking on a U-Haul truck seen in the area.
Investigators were able to obtain photos from Valison’s phone that were reportedly taken in the moments leading up to his assault. The photos also showed a vehicle Baim was seen with.
The documents said through the investigation witnesses told authorities that Baim was driving the Dodge Ram when he ran Valison over following the confrontation.
Baim was taken into custody on Sept. 23 on unrelated warrants.