Port Angeles man sentenced to 23 years for murder
Published 11:25 am Wednesday, June 10, 2026
PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man has been sentenced to more than 23 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Marquise Hagans-Moore, 28, received the high end of the standard range on Wednesday in Clallam County Superior Court, a sentence of 220 months plus a five-year enhancement for the use of a firearm. The 280-month total was the recommendation from Clallam County senior deputy prosecuting attorney Steven Johnson.
Hagans-Moore also will serve 36 months of community custody following his prison term, and the court also ordered anger management treatment.
William Payne, the attorney for Hagans-Moore, had recommended the low end of the standard range at 123 months plus the five-year firearms enhancement.
Hagans-Moore pleaded guilty in March to killing Rebecca Rule-Cowles, 51, in September 2024 at the Whidby Avenue home in Port Angeles where they were roommates.
Judge Simon Barnhart, who listened to statements from seven of Rule-Cowles’ family members during the 90-minute hearing, said the state Legislature provides a sentencing range but doesn’t include guidance for how to rule within that range.
“These cases defy explanation,” Barnhart said. “There’s a high level of the unthinkable in this case.”
Hagans-Moore, who displayed little emotion as Rule-Cowles’ family members described the loved one they lost, addressed the court with a brief statement.
“There’s nothing I can really say to lessen the blow,” he said. “I know what I did was wrong.
“I’m willing to accept my fate.”
This is a developing story. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
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Editor Brian McLean can be reached by email at brian.mclean@peninsuladailynews.com.
