PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to a series of violent assaults will be evaluated at a state psychiatric hospital by Thanksgiving, a Clallam County prosecutor said Monday.
Riley Edge White, 59, is charged for alleged unprovoked attacks in a Clallam Transit bus, the Clallam County jail and his Port Angeles residence last spring and summer.
He told Port Angeles police that he has seizures because of a brain injury he sustained several years ago and does not remember his actions during his seizures, according to police reports.
After being evaluated by defense psychiatrist Dr. Kenneth Muscatel, White pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for alleged attacks on an 80-year-old Clallam Transit passenger, the bus operator who tried to save her and a woman who rented a room in his South I Street residence.
White is awaiting a bed date to have a second mental health evaluation at Western State Hospital in Lakewood.
Michele Devlin, Clallam County chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney, said White is scheduled to have the evaluation before Thanksgiving, which falls this year on Nov. 24.
Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly rescheduled a Monday court hearing for 1 p.m. next Tuesday.
“We’re set for another review next week to keep on track of things,” Devlin said in a Monday email.
White is being held in the Clallam County jail on $200,000 bail.
Defense attorney Harry Gasnick has said he would concede good cause to extend his client’s speedy trial dates, the first of which expires today.
White was originally charged with first-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree attempted robbery and two-counts of second-degree assault for the May 28 bus incident.
Port Angeles police said he kicked and punched the elderly passenger and the driver who tried to intervene before trying to kidnap the driver and take her belongings.
White has pleaded not guilty to custodial assault for allegedly attacking a Clallam County jail officer July 11.
After posting bail, White was re-arrested and charged with one count of second-degree assault for allegedly punching a woman who rented a room in his house Aug. 27.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
