Mitchell Gaff : "Mitchell Gaff: 1984 Everett Cold Case Suspect"

– Mitchell Gaff cold case suspect
– Mitchell Gaff Everett case.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Everett, Washington – Mitchell Gaff, a former sex offender who spent 25 years under state supervision for sex crimes, has been arrested for the 1984 killing of Judy Weaver. Gaff, who came out as gay and was ordained as a Buddhist priest during his time under state supervision, was deemed no longer a sexually violent predator in a 2018 evaluation.

Despite his apparent progress, Gaff now faces life in prison for the killing of Judy Weaver, a cafe owner in downtown Everett. Prosecutors charged Gaff, 66, with aggravated first-degree murder in Snohomish County Superior Court. He is currently held in the Snohomish County Jail on a “no bail” hold.

Gaff’s journey from being a convicted sex offender to a Buddhist priest and a gay man has been tumultuous. Despite his diagnoses, including “sexual sadism,” Gaff’s disorders were deemed to be under control in 2018. He participated consistently in treatment and learned to intervene on his sexual and aggressive thoughts and urges.

However, Gaff’s past caught up with him when new DNA evidence linked him to the cold case homicide of Judy Weaver. The genetic profile recovered from the wrist ligatures used to bind Weaver revealed Gaff as an apparent match in the national DNA database CODIS.

The Troubled Past of Mitchell Gaff

Gaff’s criminal history dates back to the late 1970s when he was convicted of assault and burglary. He later went on a spree of stalking and sexually assaulting women and teenagers, with some instances of attempted rape as well.

In 1979, Gaff was convicted of assaulting Jackie Brown, and in 1984, he allegedly killed Judy Weaver in a horrific manner, setting her apartment on fire after sexually assaulting her. The case went cold until new DNA technology helped authorities link Gaff to the crime.

Throughout his time under state supervision, Gaff faced multiple violations and setbacks. Despite his efforts to change and rehabilitate, his past caught up with him in the form of the recent arrest for the 1984 homicide.

Gaff’s Transformation and Controversies

Despite his troubled past, Gaff underwent a transformation during his time under state supervision. He came out as gay, was ordained as a Buddhist priest, and expressed remorse for his past actions.

However, Gaff’s probation officer raised concerns about his superficiality and negative attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. Despite claiming to have changed and no longer having thoughts about sexual assault, Gaff’s behavior raised red flags with authorities.

His arrest for the 1984 homicide of Judy Weaver has brought his past back into the spotlight, raising questions about his rehabilitation and the effectiveness of the state supervision system.

Conclusion

The case of Mitchell Gaff serves as a reminder of the complexities of rehabilitation and the challenges of reintegrating former offenders into society. Despite his efforts to change and lead a different life, Gaff’s past caught up with him in a tragic manner.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Mitchell Gaff will continue to raise questions about the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for sex offenders and the need for constant supervision and monitoring.