PORT ANGELES — Two brothers with violent criminal histories are in the Clallam County jail on bail amounts totalling $1.75 million in connection with an alleged attack on a 68-year-old Clallam Transit bus passenger late Friday afternoon.
Superior Court Judge Brent Basden set bail Monday of $1 million for Steven Rene Davis, 39, and $750,000 for Channing Warren Davis, 36, both of Port Angeles, who allegedly beat a Neah Bay man, according to a probable cause statement.
They are being incarcerated for investigation of second-degree assault and first-degree robbery in the incident while they await the filing of formal charges at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Superior Court.
Basden said he set bail for both men based on his concern they would commit a violent crime, the randomness of the alleged attack and the remoteness of the location.
The probable cause statement that formed the basis of the bail amount was compiled from the bus video-audio surveillance system and witness statements.
According to the statement, the man was attacked at about 5:30 p.m. Friday at East Beach Road off U.S. Highway 101, about 30 minutes after the bus left the Gateway Transit Center.
Shortly before the bus stopped to await a scheduled departure at the road, the Neah Bay man stood up from his seat, turned around and told the brothers, who were sitting in the back of the bus allegedly causing a disturbance, to “hold the noise down.”
After moving to where the man was sitting, Steven Davis allegedly threatened the man, asking, “you want to go walk out in the woods?” and gesturing to the door.
“Channing yells something to the effect, ‘let’s go [mess] him up,” according to the statement.
The Davis brothers punched the man 23 times, mostly in the head, threw him to the floor and kicked him, according to the statement.
The man was transported to Olympic Medical Center with a swollen eye, pain in his ribs and cuts, according to the statement. His condition was unavailable from hospital officials Monday afternoon.
After the assault, the Davis brothers walked off the bus and began walking down Highway 101, with Channing Davis carrying the man’s backpack, according to the probable cause statement.
The Sheriff’s Office issued an public alert for their whereabouts later Friday.
Channing Davis was arrested after surrendering himself at the courthouse at 9:20 a.m. Sunday.
Steven Davis was arrested at 9:46 a.m. Sunday between the Eighth Street bridges.
Steven Davis was released from prison in 2019 after serving 12 months and 1 day for third-degree assault.
Both brothers were incarcerated in connection with a drive-by shooting in Port Angeles in 1998, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Woolman said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
Steven R. Davis Jr.
