Jury convicts suspect in Jane Britt’s death

A jury convicted 25-year-old nursing assistant Joseph N. Njonge of second-degree murder on June 17.

Njonge was on trial for the slaying of Jane Britt, a 75-year-old Federal Way resident who was found dead in the trunk of her car March 19, 2008. Britt was found at a local nursing home, where her husband, Frank, resided and where Njonge worked.

Njonge’s DNA was found under Britt’s fingernails. She died of strangulation. The suspect also had possession of Frank Britt’s Costco card following Jane Britt’s death.

Njonge has not yet been sentenced. He is facing 10 to 20 years in prison.

Red light photo enforcement

On June 16, the city extended its red light photo enforcement pilot program for another year. The program began in August 2008 with four cameras placed at two intersections. It has been expanded to seven cameras at three intersections and three speed enforcement cameras, to be installed later this summer, in three school zones.

The red light photo camera services are provided by American Traffic Solutions. The program is self-sustaining and has proven to be a revenue-maker for the city. If the second year of the contract goes well, the city will consider lengthening its contract, interim police chief Andy Hwang said.

City budget includes layoffs, wage cuts

The Federal Way City Council passed its six-year long-term budget June 16. The budget includes staff layoffs and a 2 percent wage cut throughout, freezes on vacant positions, transferring of utility taxes from the capital to operating budget, holds on some park projects and more. To view the 2009-2010 revised budget, visit the city’s Web site at www.cityoffederalway.com and read the June 16 city council agenda packet.