Rantz: Progressive activist group previously posted bond for hate crime suspect, Seattle Times ignores
Apr 1, 2025, 4:57 AM

Why did The Seattle Times omit such a key detail from a story on a hate crime suspect? (Photo: Jason Rantz, KTTH)
(Photo: Jason Rantz, KTTH)
The suspect in a hate crime against a transgender female in Seattle was previously bailed out of jail by the controversial NW Community Bail Fund group for a separate alleged anti-trans hate crime, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO). Somehow, this detail managed to elude a Seattle Times聽report, though the paper was made aware.
The 39-year-old suspect, Andre Phillip Karlow, allegedly attacked a Sound Transit fare inspector, who identifies as a transgender female, in October 2024. He pleaded not guilty and was bailed out by the NW Community Bail Fund, which indiscriminately pays the bail for suspects, usually based on whether or not the suspect comes from a marginalized community or is homeless. In this case, they posted $3,000 bail, according to KCPAO records.
Karlow is now awaiting charges in a separate alleged hate crime against a transgender female victim last Thursday. Had his bail not been posted by the NW Bail Fund, it’s possible that this alleged hate crime would not have occurred. Why didn’t聽The Seattle Times聽point this detail out?
Details in the accused anti-trans hate crime
Seattle Police say Karlow taunted the victim by calling her a “drag queen” and demanding, “to your makeup off.” He was allegedly in a group at the time.
When the victim attempted to photograph the group, police say the group began punching and kicking her. Someone in the group allegedly made reference to the Trump administration banning transgender military members after the victim tried to appeal to the group that she was a veteran.
One of the suspects, Karlow, was identified by police based on surveillance. Seattle Police says he was the suspect in an earlier domestic violence incident for allegedly throwing a can of food at his girlfriend, striking her and causing injury. Karlow was later arrested for the suspected hate crime.
The Seattle Times聽gets it wrong
滨苍听The Seattle Times聽coverage, reporter Catalina Gait谩n pointed out the alleged Trump reference. But she managed to completely ignore the involvement of the NW Bail Fund.
“The man police arrested was previously released from the King County Jail in October, after he posted bond on his $30,000 bail for a separate hate crime charge, records show,” Gait谩n incorrectly claimed.
But if the reporter saw the records, why not point out that the radical progressive group bailed him out? She must have known. In fact, the KCPAO explicitly told reporters via email that the NW Bail Fund was involved. “According to public court records, the defendant was released in that case after the Northwest Community Bail Fund posted his bond,” a spokesperson wrote to media.
NW Bail Fund is celebrated by the Radical Left
The NW Bail Fund has been celebrated by progressive activists as addressing what they falsely claim is a “racist criminal justice system” because聽蝉辞尘别听judges ask for cash bail. Ironically, the NW Bail Fund cash bail is “transphobic.”
“We oppose pretrial detention and cash bail, because they harm communities and are racist, classist, transphobic, and ableist. High bails do not increase safety; rather they make sure only the wealthy and people with resources go free, creating two systems of criminal process in Washington: one for people who can afford bail and another for people who can’t,” according to the group’s website.
In fact, the NW Bail Fund claims to “prioritize bail assistance for our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, particularly transgender, community members: those at greatest risk in our current criminal punishment system.” If that’s the case, why would they pay the bail for a suspect in an anti-trans hate crime? The NW Bail Fund didn’t respond when asked to comment by “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.
The Seattle Times has been notable for its support of left-wing causes, with a newsroom that is transparently biased towards Democrats. Is that why this bail detail was left out? Gait谩n did not respond to a request for comment.
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