Teen suspect's attorneys present possible defense, cite forensic evidence of innocence in Lakefront family massacre case.

The attorneys for the 15-year-old boy accused of killing his parents and siblings in their Washington state lakeside house last month defended the teenager's narrative, stating that there are two conflicting versions of what happened in the seemingly "perfect" family home. Recent court documents obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital revealed this.

On Oct. 21, at a house in Lake Alice, Washington, authorities found a "significant crime scene" with the deceased bodies of two adults and three children. The 15-year-old was immediately taken into custody, police said.

The King County Medical Examiner's Office identified the deceased as Mark Humiston, 43, Sarah Humiston, 42, and their children, Benjamin, 13, Joshua, 9, and Katheryn, 7. Despite being named in court records, a judge has prohibited the media from disclosing the identity of the teen suspect.

According to court records, the suspect's 11-year-old sister survived the attack by pretending to be dead.

On Oct. 21 at dawn, the suspect phoned 911, asserting that his 13-year-old sibling had murdered their family. The suspect appeared distressed and declared, "He shot my entire family and then took his own life," according to the affidavit.

Another 911 call was made by a neighbor during the suspect's 911 call, informing authorities that the 11-year-old Humiston daughter had arrived at their home with gunshot wounds and claimed that her family was dead and her 15-year-old brother was the one who shot them.

Court documents refer to the surviving 11-year-old as BAH.

According to the newly obtained records, the suspect's attorneys stated that while the suspect's sister BAH told police that the suspect was responsible for killing their family members, the suspect himself spoke to a 911 operator and claimed that his brother Benjamin was the one who committed the crime.

"The suspect's version of events appears to be forensically viable."

The suspect's 911 call statement is consistent with the forensics received so far, according to the defense team, who claim there is no evidence suggesting the suspect had any blood on him after the alleged mass killing.

According to court records, his attorneys stated that they examined the crime scene and concluded that "it is evident that no one involved in this shooting could have escaped without significant blood on their body."

The police did not find any motive for the crime, but a previous affidavit stated that the suspect's sister had told police that he had recently gotten into trouble at school for failing tests.

She recounted to investigators how she and her younger sister were awakened by the sound of gunshots in their shared bedroom, and she saw her father and brother lying in the hallway with blood on their bodies. Following this, she heard another gunshot and watched her 15-year-old brother shoot her sister before leaning over the three bodies of her family members in the hall, checking if they were still alive.

She escaped through a fire window in her bedroom by pretending to be dead and closing her eyes and holding her breath.

Her brother, who was 15 years old, was the only one among the siblings who knew the combination to the lockbox containing her father's silver Glock handgun, which she recognized as the weapon used to shoot her.

According to an affidavit, detectives and prosecutors claim that the 15-year-old suspect intentionally staged the crime scene before the arrival of first responders, in an attempt to make it seem like his younger brother had committed the murders and then taken his own life. Upon discovery, the 13-year-old, Benjamin, was found with a gunshot wound to the head and the Glock handgun in his left hand on his chest.

The tragedy of the Humiston family massacre left many in shock.

"Rhea Robertson, a soccer coach who mentored one of the victims, told KOMO News that Dad worked extremely hard and Mom was the most devoted, faithful mother anyone could hope for. She said they appeared perfect to her from the outside."

The suspect was charged with six counts of first-degree aggravated murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder with a firearm enhancement, all of which have a domestic violence designation, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said. He is being held in secure detention at the Clark Child and Family Justice Center.

The 15-year-old did not enter a plea, and the case will have a status conference on Jan. 8, 2025, pending the judge's ruling on whether it will be moved to adult court.

The teenage suspect's attorney did not add any further information.