By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The man who opened fire on two suspected burglars at his Onalaska house killing one of them, was charged yesterday with first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault.
Ronald A. Brady, 60, faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted for the events that happened in April.
Thomas McKenzie, 56, of Morton, died from a gunshot wound to his chest, according to charging documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court. His estranged wife, Joanna McKenzie, 32, was fleeing when Brady fired at her, according to charging documents.
Thomas McKenzie’s family was overjoyed upon learning the news, the dead man’s younger sister said this morning.
“I’m so happy; oh gosh, I’ve been bawling my eyes out,” Colleen Wolczak said. “It doesn’t bring my brother back, but I am so grateful.
“A normal person would not be laying in wait in the garage.”
Brady admitted firing at the pair outside his house he was rebuilding on the 2100 block of state Route 508, describing to deputies opening his garage door and finding two flashlights shined in his face, according to charging documents.
He told sheriff’s detectives he was staying overnight at the house in case burglars from earlier in the day returned. Brady resides in a nearby rental home.
Sheriff Steve Mansfield, after the investigation was finished in mid-July, announced he concluded Brady’s use of deadly force was justified and that he would not arrest the homeowner. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, however, passed the case on to the prosecutor for his review.
Brady’s phone number is disconnected and could not be reached for comment this morning.
The sheriff’s office investigation determined Thomas McKenzie had gone with his wife to the house intending to burglarize it and the homeowner reacted to protect himself.
Joanna McKenzie was arrested and charged with attempted residential burglary in July.
Charging documents offer the following allegations:
On April 19, Brady reported somebody had broken into the house, moving items stored in his garage. He saw a back window had been broken and found the garage door opened about two inches.
Brady returned to his rental home and collected his .22 caliber rifle and 12-gauge shotgun and then went back to his house on state Route 508.
At about 9 p.m., he could see through the partially open garage door headlights from a vehicle pulling into his driveway and then he heard someone knock on his door. Brady said he also heard someone pound on the wall and say something to the effect the police were coming.
Brady told deputies after he opened the garage door and found flashlights shining in his face, he opened fire at one of them.
“Mr. Brady stated after shooting Mr. McKenzie, he opened fire on Joanna McKenzie as she fled,” charging documents state.
She ran toward the highway and flagged down a motorist to call 911 for help.
Joanna McKenzie told a deputy the couple was at the house with permission to take parts off a truck parked in its driveway.
Her trial for attempted burglary is set for the first week in October.
Wolczak, who spoke by telephone from her home in Salem, said she’s grateful as well her brother’s wife is charged with a crime.
She acknowledges her brother could have been at the house to steal something but blames Joanna McKenzie and her lifestyle for much of that.
“He was fighting and hoping to get his family back, and made poor choices,” Wolczak said.
The couple’s 3-year-old child is now in state custody and Thomas McKenzie’s two other minor children now live with their mother, according to Wolczak.
•••
Read previous stories related to the case:
• “Two more homicide cases now await charging decisions by Lewis County prosecutor” from Saturday Sept. 11, 2010 here
• “Three Lewis County homicides still unresolved as triple-slaying prosecution begins” from Wednesday Sept. 8, 2010 here
• “When is it OK to use deadly force in Lewis County?: Not so simple to answer, sheriff says” from Thursday July 15, 2010 here.
Read the charging documents in Joanna McKenzie’s burglary case here for more details on what prosecutor’s think happened that night.
• “News brief: Sheriff decides not to arrest man who shot burglar in Onalaska” from Monday July 12, 2010 here
• “News brief: Morton woman arrested for burglary in connection with April incident in Onalaska when her husband was fatally shot” from Monday July 12, 2010 here
• “April’s Onalaska shooting death case still awaits decision, reports” from June 15, 2010 here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I had a long phone conversation yesterday with Marilyn Polston, of Salem, Ore. who was disappointed my news story did not acknowledge Thomas McKenzie leaves behind several other children. Polston, one of McKenzie’s three former wives, said he had nine children, the oldest being a son in his mid-30s.
She also suggested not everyone in McKenzie’s family wishes his widow ill will.
“Our thing is we hope Joanna can get some help. get her life turned around so she can parent those two children,” Polston said.
Later yesterday, the mother of two of Thomas McKenzie’s college-age daughters sent me a long note expressing similar thoughts and said “feel free to publish this.” If I remember correctly, Kelly lives in the Salem area. The following is her note:
“Hi Sharyn,
I spoke with you a few months back regarding Mr. McKenzie. I understand that you spoke with his ex wife Marilyn today and she expressed our feelings on the current events. I would like to support her opinion that the entire family is not overjoyed with what is going on with Joanna, there are those of us that hope and pray she would get her act together so she can be a good mother to her children.
I would like to confirm that Tom had 9 children and there are 4 which are currently minors, Dakota, Stormy, Bobby and my daughter Brittney. There are children of age my daughter Danielle, Marilyn’s son Anthony, and Marlene’s 3 children Tom, Christy and Theresa, Sonia is the mother to Stormy and Bobby and then Joanna mother to Dakota.
Tom’s brother Ron and his wife Danielle have been in a lengthy process, with Joanna’s consent to foster both Dakota and her son from a former marriage Kyle. They continue to wait for the State of Washington to get all the paperwork in order to take on full time fostering.
This has been a terrible tragedy for all of Tom’s family and I would include a tragedy for Mr. Brady where 2 wrongs never make a right. Times are tough, and I am not excusing anyone’s behavior as they were all adults who know right from wrong.
However, I would like to say that despite all of this Tom’s children have really had a hard time knowing that they will never have a relationship with their father. I’m not excusing his behavior, but would like to say despite all the negative stories, Tom did have a big heart and loved each and every one of his children, even though he didn’t know how to express himself in the right way. Tom was a very hard worker who just got caught up and made bad decisions, which I cannot or will not blame Joanna, as he was an adult and didn’t have a gun pointed at his head.
I have raised Danielle and Brittney solely on my own with little support both financially and from family, and I could be very bitter as he has left a child support debt of $16,500, and just this past weekend my husband Jim and I were successful to get both girl’s Danielle and Brittney settled into college, without his assistance. No other mother is left with outstanding child support, in fact, they are all now receiving social security due to his death. It was truly a blessing that shortly after Tom’s death the girls were both graduating from high school, and Ron and his wife Danielle showed in support and honor of his brother Tom. His ex wife Marilyn and Anthony sent roses to the girls congratulating them on their success. This even has drawn the family/children closer together and they are supporting each other in this awful time.
Tom is missing out on becoming a grandfather to his son Anthony who is expecting his first child a little girl in November, and watching his successful career at Les Schwab. Anthony’s mother Marilyn has been a wonderful mother to Anthony who raised him with her husband Dan’s support and love. Tom was currently trying to make a new start, and was developing a good relationship with his son.
Tom is missing out being a part of his 3 older children Christy, Theresa and Tom being successful in life and watching his grandchildren grow.
There are a lot of you out there pointing a finger at Tom and placing blame, but I would like to say that no one has a right to judge another and with the economic downturn people are turning to crime to put meals on the table for their family.
I was very blessed to be a part of putting together the Celebration of Life with his brother Ron and wife Danielle and Marilyn where most of Tom’s family gathered to say goodbye to their loved one. It was a very special event and we were able to spread some of his ashes out and say goodbye and have some finality to his death.”
Kelly