PORT TOWNSEND — Ryan Robert Baker, on trial for first-degree assault, sat quietly Wednesday in Jefferson County Superior Court as he listened to four of his friends and law enforcement personnel testify against him for stabbing 26-year-old Tomas Hezina five times in the neck and chest on Oct. 20 during a scuffle over $20.
Baker, 19, of Poulsbo faces life in prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted of first-degree assault.
Baker has pleaded not guilty.
On the third day of the trial, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shane Seaman used the testimony of four of the other defendants who all agreed to plea bargains during a Dec. 9 pretrial hearing.
Kellee Farfan, 20, James Hansen, 18, and Camron Jevne, 20, all of Port Townsend, and Ryan Hausenfluck, 20, of Marysville, testified Wednesday.
They were originally charged with first-degree assault in connection with the stabbing.
In exchange for their testimony, they pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and are expected to serve six months in Jefferson County jail, although they have not yet been sentenced.
Toni Marie Farris, 29, of Port Townsend, charged with criminal assistance in the first degree for allegedly hiding the knife used in the stabbing in her apartment, testified Tuesday.
Farris could face up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine, if convicted.
Seaman had each defendant recount the events leading up the stabbing that occurred at 3 a.m. in the courtyard of the Hancock Street Apartments in Port Townsend.
