Cases continued in Ritzville District Court

RITZVILLE – A pair of cases of local interest, along with changes of attorneys and standardized processes, were part of the proceedings in Ritzville District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Brian Massey, 33, appeared by remote audio/visual connection from the Adams County Jail for a readiness hearing. Brian Massey of Ritzville was arrested on a probable cause of trespassing at the Ritzville Golf Course and numerous warrants issued by Adams County District Court.

Massey is facing charges in connection with trespassing at Ritzville Golf Course and numerous warrants issued in Adams County District Court last year, among other charges.

Defense Attorney Carson Van Valkenburg, replacing attorney Chris Bajalcaliev, informed Judge Andrea Russell that a competency evaluation for Massey had not been completed – and was not yet scheduled – at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake.

Judge Russell noted Massey has been in custody for more than 50 days, and expressed concern that the clock was running out on his right to a speedy trail.

Van Valkenburg told the judge he would try to get the evaluation scheduled for the coming week. The case was continued until 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11.

In an unrelated case, political activist Glen Stockwell, 71, appeared for a pretrial hearing in a case in which he is accused of assaulting state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, on Oct. 11.

Van Valkenburg asked for a recess to confer with his new client.

After the recess, Van Valkenburg and Stockwell returned to the court room to waive Stockwell’s right to a speedy trial and asked for a continuance to prepare the defense.

City Attorney John Kragt, replacing former city prosecuting attorney Mark Monson, said the city had “no objection to the continuance.”

A new hearing date was set for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8.

During the court session there was discussion between the judge and attorneys concerning a form used in court, and the arithmetic involved in determining the time interval for a speedy trial.

The discussion and use of the form is intended to standardize processes and procedures between the court in Ritzville, and the district court in Othello, where Judge Carolyn Benzel presides.