PORT ANGELES — Statements that Andrea Freese made to police after the stabbing death of Charles W. “Bill” Boze can be presented as evidence during her trial, a Clallam County Superior Court judge has ruled.
The 33-year-old Port Angeles woman is charged with second-degree murder in the July 28, 2007 stabbing death of Charles W. “Bill” Boze, 73. A two-week trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 2.
Freese had called police to Boze’s home thenight he died, and said she had stabbed him, court documents said.
Defense attorney John Hayden and Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly questioned witnesses Wednesday in a one-hour, 40-minute “3.5 hearing,” which determines if statements a defendant makes during an initial investigation are admissible in a trial.
Judge George L. Wood ruled on Wednesday that Freese understood her rights and that her statements are admissible.
Another pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. today.
Freese has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
She re¬¬mains in custody in the Clallam County jail, with bail set at $500,000.
The trial has been delayed four times since Freese was charged in November 2007.
The trial was scheduled for Jan. 7, March 24 and July 7 of last year.
Trial was postponed because Freese was at Western State Hospital in Steilacoom to determine if she was competent to stand trial.
More recently, a Jan. 5 trial date was continued because Hayden had to leave town for a personal matter. The continuance pushed the trial to Jan. 20, which conflicted with the schedule of a witness for the prosecution.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
