MANNHALT CONVICTED AGAIN IN SECOND TRIAL
Seattle Times, The (WA) (Published as THE SEATTLE TIMES) - March 29, 1990

Author/Byline: JULIE EMERY
Edition: FINAL
Section: NORTHWEST
Page: B7
Guenter Mannhalt has been convicted of heading a criminal enterprise out of a doughnut shop in downtown Seattle, losing his gamble at
a second trial.
A King County jury yesterday convicted Mannhalt of criminal conspiracy and eight other crimes associated with a doughnut shop once
located at First Avenue and Pike Street.
Prosecutors again had contended the doughnut shop was a rallying spot in the late 1970s and early 1980s for dropouts, drug addicts,
street people and other youths who under the direction of Mannhalt fanned out to perform holdups and share their rewards with him.
Before Mannhalt's retrial, prosecutors had offered not to go to trial in exchange for a guilty plea and an agreement to pay his victims
restitution of about $36,000. Mannhalt said no deal.
Deputy Prosecutor Lynn Prunhuber said the standard punishment range for the nine crimes is 10 years and nine months to slightly more
than 14 years. But she said she may ask for an exceptional sentence. No sentencing date has been set.
Before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals two years ago overturned his previous conviction, Mannhalt had served about seven years
behind bars.
Mannhalt said after the verdict that he was disappointed and had hoped for acquittal, calling the allegations that he was an accomplice
``totally absurd.''
His defense attorney, Richard Hansen, said the case is expected to be appealed.
After 3 1/2 days of deliberation, jurors asked to be escorted from the courtroom and declined to speak to reporters. Jurors convicted
Mannhalt of nine of the 12 charged crimes.
In addition to criminal conspiracy, he was found guilty of four counts of first-degree robbery as an accomplice in the holdups of Seattle
restaurants. He also was found guilty of attempted first-degree robbery of the Spaghetti Factory restaurant and of first-degree possession
of stolen property that included assorted furs, diamonds and gold rings.
The jury also convicted him of second-degree possession of stolen property for a stolen shotgun and a stolen rifle.
Hansen, in closing arguments, denied that Mannhalt was ``mastermind godfather'' for criminal activities. He said prosecutors were wrong
when they alleged he rented cars for the proteges, provided them safe houses after their robberies and rented guns to them for heists at
the restaurants.
Prunhuber countered that Mannhalt ``was the father figure . . .
the one who had control'' of the criminal activities emanating from the shop across from the Pike Place Public Market.
Hansen said Mannhalt gave some people - including runaways and crooks - a chance to work.
``He was not a saint . . . but he gave them a break,'' Hansen said.
Caption: PHOTOANGELA GOTTSCHALK / SEATTLE TIMES: GUENTER MANNHALT LEAVES THE COURTROOM AHEAD OF HIS
ATTORNEY RICHARD HANSEN AFTER A JURY CONVICTED HIM OF CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND EIGHT OTHER CRIMES.
Index terms: DECISIONS AND VERDICTS; ROBBERIES AND THEFTS
Record: 1063697
Copyright: Copyright 1990 The Seattle Times