Clemmons getaway driver charged this month

This month, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Darcus Allen, the alleged getaway driver for Maurice Clemmons, with four counts of Aggravated Murder for his involvement in the shooting deaths of four Lakewood officers at a Forza Coffee shop on Nov. 29, 2009. Allen was arraigned on March 2.

Charging documents allege that Allen drove Clemmons past the Forza coffee shop twice, saw that there were patrol cars parked outside, and then parked at a nearby car wash to wait while Clemmons went to the coffee shop to murder the officers. After Clemmons killed the officers, he walked to the car wash and climbed into the truck with Allen. Clemmons had a bullet wound in his torso and was carrying an officer’s stolen firearm. Allen sped away with the wounded Clemmons as police sirens were already sounding.

“When you help a criminal, you become a criminal,” Lindquist said. “And when you help a murderer, knowing he intends to commit murder, you’re an accomplice to murder. Clemmons repeatedly told Darcus Allen and others that he intended to kill cops. By driving Maurice Clemmons to the murder scene, knowing Clemmons intended to kill officers, Allen became an accomplice to Aggravated Murder.”

Lindquist added, “This has been a massive multi-agency investigation and I commend law enforcement for their committed and sustained effort.”

There are two possible sentences for aggravated murder: life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. A decision has not yet been made on whether the prosecutor will seek the death penalty.

Allen is the seventh person to be charged in connection with the murder of the Lakewood officers. Ricky Hinton is charged with three counts of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree. Douglas Davis is charged with four counts of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree, and one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Eddie Davis is charged with four counts of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree, three counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree, and one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Letrecia Nelson is charged with six counts of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree and one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Quiana Williams is charged with five counts of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree. Latanya Clemmons is charged with four counts of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree. All are being held on high bail at the Pierce County Jail.

These charges are allegations at this point, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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