Crime & Safety
Redmond Man Pleads Not Guilty in Death of Kirkland Cyclist
Nathan Godwin, 26, is accused of driving under the influence and speeding when he struck bicyclist Bradley Nakatani.
A Redmond man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of vehicular homicide in the death of a Kirkland bicyclist.
Prosecutors allege Nathan Jeremie Godwin, 26, when he hit and killed software engineer at about 3 a.m. on Dec. 8. Nakatani died instantly of a skull fracture and other injuries.
Defense attorney Paul Jacobson entered the plea in King County Superior Court on behalf of Godwin, who had been released on bail and attended the arraignment wearing street clothes.
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Jacobson also asked for bail to remain at $500,000, saying any greater amount would be punitive in nature.
"Anything further than that would put the family in extreme hardship," he said.
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Judge Ronald Kessler also issued a no-contact order between Godwin and the victim's family and set a condition that Godwin not be allowed to operate any motor vehicle. He was temporarily released on bail following the arraignment, even though prosecutors had asked that he be held in custody.
Family members of the victim declined to speak with reporters outside the courtroom.
A case setting hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 24. If convicted of the charges, Godwin faces a standard sentencing range under state guidelines of 36 to 48 months in prison.
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