Jury selection is set to begin Wednesday for a Seattle man accused of a brutal anti-trans assault in the University District, a case that has already sparked protests and alarm among LGBTQ+ advocates citywide. Prosecutors say the victim was ambushed while walking home from work last March, suffering broken teeth and other serious injuries.
Trial Opens at King County Courthouse
According to KING 5, 39-year-old Andre Phillip Karlow is scheduled to face a jury today in King County Superior Court. He is charged with second-degree assault, along with an alleged hate-crime enhancement in the March attack, prosecutors say.
Alleged Attack on University Way NE
Charging documents say the assault happened on the 4700 block of University Way Northeast just after 6 p.m. on March 27, 2025, when a group of men allegedly hurled anti-trans slurs and then attacked the woman, according to KUOW. The victim ran into a nearby business for help and was treated by Seattle Fire for a bruised eye, broken teeth, and abdominal pain, court records show.
Earlier Arrest and Bail Fund Controversy
Prosecutors say Karlow is also charged in a separate September 2024 attack on a transgender Sound Transit fare ambassador, and court records show he pleaded not guilty in that case, The Seattle Times reports. That earlier arrest ended with the Northwest Community Bail Fund posting a reported $3,000 cash bond for his release, a move some community members have since questioned.
Courtroom Scene and Bail Held
At a recent hearing, a judge kept Karlow’s bail at $200,000 and denied a defense request for release, saying the allegations and his criminal history raised public safety concerns, Q13 Fox reports. The outlet also described a tense moment when Karlow briefly disrupted the proceedings and walked out before the hearing concluded.
Outrage and Wider Pattern
The U-District assault has fueled rallies and neighborhood protests as advocates press for stronger protections for transgender people, local coverage shows. King County has seen an uptick in hate-crime referrals tied to gender identity and sexual orientation in recent years, according to reporting by KIRO 7, a trend prosecutors say is drawing increasing scrutiny.
Legal Stakes
State statute RCW 9A.36.080 defines a hate crime, listed in law as malicious harassment, as an assault or other criminal act committed in whole or in part because of a victim’s protected characteristic. A hate-crime conviction is a felony that can carry prison time and fines, and victims may also seek civil remedies, the Attorney General’s office says.
