SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle area prosecutors say the backlog in pending felony cases has doubled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The King County Prosecutor’s Office said there were 6,450 felony cases that were awaiting trial as of Wednesday. The office says it typically has an average backlog of 3,250 cases. The number of backlogged cases involving serious offenses — including murder, rape and domestic violence — has increased from 1,700 before the pandemic to 2,800 now. KOMO-TV reported that the extensive backlog coincided with a 61% increase in homicides in Seattle in 2020 compared to the year prior.
Felony case backlog doubles due to virus in Seattle area
