Kevin James Hinzpeter, one of two men convicted for setting fire to a man at an Olympia homeless encampment last year, has been sentenced to roughly 14 years in prison.
His co-defendant, Christopher Snyder, has a sentencing hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 26. He was convicted by a jury of multiple charges, including first-degree murder, following a three-week trial that ended Nov. 7. The prosecution is recommending a total sentence of 674 months.
Hinzpeter, 32, pleaded guilty Oct. 8 to one count of second-degree murder. All other charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.
“I have made mistakes that I will, unfortunately, have to live with for the rest of my life,” Hinzpeter said to Judge Christopher Lanese prior to his sentencing on Nov. 17. “I hope that one day I will be able to make amends with all those who have been affected by my actions, both directly and indirectly. I will do what I can to see that through. For now, all I can do is offer my sincerest apologies, my condolences, and desire and willingness to rehabilitate.”
Hinzpeter and Snyder confronted 47-year-old Zebediah “Donkey” Schoening at an encampment known as “the Jungle” on Oct. 8, 2024, and set him on fire with a chemical before fleeing the scene.
While the codefendants were initially charged with attempted murder, the charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after the victim died from his injuries about two weeks after the attack.
As part of the plea deal, Hinzpeter’s charges were amended to just one count of second-degree murder. The standard sentencing range, which is calculated based on the severity of the offense and the defendant's criminal history, was determined to be between 123 and 220 months in prison.
The prosecution recommended that a judge sentence Hinzpeter in the middle of the standard sentencing range, in accordance with the plea deal. The defense asked for a sentence at the low end of the range.
Lanese opted to grant the prosecution’s request for 171.5 months in prison.
“We burned someone horrifically to death, and that is simply the right answer for this type of crime and this type of case,” Lanese said about his decision to grant the prosecution’s request rather than the defense’s.
He said he initially considered sentencing Hinzpeter higher than the state’s recommendation, but changed his mind after both the defense and prosecution acknowledged that Hinzpeter took responsibility for his actions and was suffering from severe mental health and substance abuse issues at the time of the incident.
Hinzpeter also did not appear to commit additional troubling crimes, like tampering with witnesses, after the crime, like Snyder did.
“I’m hoping that after this time served there, that you’ll be in a position where you’ll get the support that you’ll need, you’ll have the reflection and the punishment deserved for this crime, and that you’ll end up in a better and different circumstance when you come out,” Lanese said.
As part of his sentence, Hinzpeter is required to undergo both mental health and substance abuse evaluations, and complete all recommended treatment.
Lanese also granted a lifetime no-contact order between Hinzpeter and Snyder.
“You two put together, not good decisions. And that’s a gross understatement,” Lanese said.
While Lanese presided over Snyder’s trial, he repeatedly assured the court that he was only considering Hinzpeter’s file when deciding his sentence.
