The trial for Andrew Baim, accused of murdering Ravensdale resident Nick Valison, has begun.

Baim, a Black Diamond resident, allegedly killed Valison on Sept. 21, 2023, by running him over with a stolen vehicle after Valison confronted him and two other individuals about illegal dumping in his neighborhood.

The trial began Monday, July 28, after print deadline, but the Courier-Herald will continue to cover the trial.

Valison’s family has said illegal dumping in their neighborhood was an issue for years and there has always been little-to-no help from the county or law enforcement.

According to police documents, Valison spotted a suspicious car and trailer at a vacant lot and decided to confront three individuals about the dumping.

One of the individuals, Alyssa Montano, who was not charged in this case, allegedly told officers that Valison “banged on the side of the U-Haul,” resulting in the three people getting back into the truck to drive off.

Bart McMurray, the third individual involved, allegedly told officers Valison said he was “going to kick their ass” if they didn’t leave and swatted at him. McMurray then swatted back, knocking a phone out of Valison’s hand.

Valison then grabbed McMurray’s backpack and threw it into the woods, and McMurray went to retrieve it.

Montano said Valison then placed himself in front of the truck “and looked like he was trying to move a log in their path to stop them” when Baim pulled up closer.

Baim continued to rev the engine as a warning to Valison, who placed his hands on the truck hood and “did not look like he was going to move.”

Baim continued to rev the engine and inch the vehicle forward. At some point, Valison’s back was turned to the vehicle — Montano said it was unclear if Valison changed his mind or if he was pushed by the truck — but he fell forward, and Baim then ran over Valison without hesitation Montano told officers.

McMurray then got into the truck and the three drove off.

It took two months for officers to arrest Baim for the alleged murder.

Hours after Valison was killed, the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to a car arson, and it was determined it was the same car Valison had taken photos of on his phone. Inside the car was a partially-burned certificate with Baim’s mother’s name.

Baim was arrested on Sept. 23 for unrelated charges; when officers asked him about the U-Haul, he admitted to having stolen it, but it was also stolen from him in Maple Valley.

Officers interviewed Montano on Oct. 5, who wanted to “come clean about everything.” McMurray was arrested on unrelated charges on Nov. 9 and said Baim ran Valison over and was with him when Baim torched the truck.

Baim was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of second-degree arson, and two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 15.

He pleaded not guilty at arraignment.

The Courier-Herald does not normally name people not charged with a crime, but other outlets had already identified Montano and McMurray.

Baim has been previously charged with unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence in 2016 (and pled guilty to fourth degree assault and domestic violence); pled guilty to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes in 2018, and to second degree burglary in a separate case in 2018; and pled guilty to failing to register as a non-felon sex offender twice in 2019.

The Courier-Herald reached out to Valison’s family for comment before print deadline, but did not receive a response.

They declined to comment after this article was published.

Nick Valison and his husky, Nanuk, who was with him when he was killed on Sept. 21. Photo courtesy Tanice Valison