Pierce County Teen Cleared in Justifiable Homicide of Mother's Boyfriend

A 16-year-old boy in Tacoma, Washington, fatally stabbed his mother’s boyfriend, Malik Session, during a domestic dispute in late April. The stabbing occurred after Session reportedly engaged in an altercation with the boy’s mother and threatened the teen, who claimed he acted in self-defense after being pushed and strangled. Prosecutors initially charged the teen with second-degree murder but later dismissed the case, ruling the killing a justifiable homicide. Washington State juvenile laws complicated the investigation, as detectives were unable to directly interview the teen and had to rely on his defense attorney for his statement. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office expressed relief that the case was closed, allowing the teen to move forward with support from his family and community. The incident highlights challenges in handling juvenile cases in serious crimes under recent state laws.