PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County prosecutors are continuing to track down phone records in a case that involves the death of a Port Townsend musician.
Defense attorney Richard Davies of Jefferson Associated Counsel said during the status hearing Friday in Jefferson County Superior Court that there are “still outstanding discovery issues” in the case involving Adam Michael Kelly, 38.
Chris Ashcraft, the county’s chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney, identified the phone records as being a key piece of evidence.
Kelly, who appeared on a video monitor from the Jefferson County Jail, is facing charges of controlled substances homicide, a Class B felony, in the death of Jarrod Bramson, one half of the Port Townsend duo The Solvents.
Kelly is being held on $500,000 bail.
The maximum penalty for controlled substances homicide is 10 years in prison and/or fines between $1,000 and $20,000.
Additional charges include the possession of a controlled substance, counterfeit substances and the use of a building for drug purposes, according to court documents.
In all, there are 10 felony charges that carry up to a maximum penalty of 80 years in prison.
Ashcraft told Judge Keith Harper on Friday that the state wants to move toward an Aug. 12 trial, but they’re in a “tough position.”
“They want both the speedy trial and he wants to continue to negotiate some magical deal,” Ashcraft said.
Davies acknowledged they were bargaining.
“We are trying to work toward a resolution, and today was a deadline of sorts,” he said.
The trial had been continued from mid-June to late July, but Harper was concerned about holding it in a four-day period based on scheduling.
“We would either have to finish on the 31st entirely or it would recess until Aug. 7,” Harper said.
A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday.
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Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.
