PORT TOWNSEND — A Port Townsend High School teacher who allegedly threatened the school principal and entered his former classroom after being banned from campus remained in custody Saturday as the court awaits the results of a Thursday competency hearing.
Bail for James Keith Miller, 52, remained at $150,000 after Superior Court Judge Keith Harper denied a motion to reduce it during a hearing Friday.
Harper said the results of a competency hearing at the Jefferson County jail in Port Hadlock were essential in the determination of the next step.
Results were expected in time for a court appearance at 11:15 a.m. this coming Thursday at the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Trial had been set for May 16-17 after an arraignment March 25.
The case is on hold until the results of the competency hearing are received and evaluated, according to Michael Haas, Jefferson County prosecuting attorney.
Burglary, harassment
Miller is being held for investigation of one count each of burglary in the second degree and harassment-threats to kill.
Under Washington RCWs, burglary is defined as entering a property or structure with the intent to commit a crime and does not indicate intent for theft, police have said.
Miller’s attorney, Richard Davies, said Friday his client suffers from bipolar disorder.
Miller, standing next to his attorney, criticized the proceedings during the hearing.
“I am extremely competent. I can recite quadratic formula,” the math teacher said, “and have helped with this case.”
As an example of his competency Miller said that when the evaluator mentioned a date, he responded by asking if she was referring to the Gregorian or Mayan calendar.
Miller blamed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Julian St. Marie for the timing of the competency hearing and any subsequent delay in his trial.
“This prosecutor scheduled a competency hearing the day before this hearing,” Miller said.
“There is a competency question here, but it’s not mine,” he said.
St. Marie said the hearing was scheduled by Western State Hospital and Thursday was the first time staff could travel from Lakewood to Port Hadlock.
Threat
Miller, who is now on paid administrative leave, is accused of threatening to kill high school principal Carrie Ehrhardt during a March 18 breakfast meeting at the Bayview Restaurant.
According to Ehrhardt’s written statement, Miller said she was “the [expletive] reason that I am not able to see my children and I’m going to [expletive] kill you.”
Hours after the meeting, Miller drove to the high school campus, entered his former classroom where students were present and was taken into custody by police.
Davies presented a written statement from Christie McCorkle, Miller’s union representative, who said she was present at the breakfast meeting to help Miller complete Family and Medical Leave Act paperwork.
McCorkle said that did not occur because Miller became agitated.
“The conversation at times became loud enough to worry staff in the restaurant,” McCorkle said in her statement.
Miller “continued to escalate his behavior but at times would lean back in his chair, close his eyes and try to maintain his composure.”
McCorkle said it was hard to watch, “seeing first-hand the amount of energy it took to pull himself back from moments of rage.”
McCorkle’s recollection did not include a direct threat against Ehrhardt. She said Miller had said if he “wasn’t in such control, he would kill everyone.”
In her statement, McCorkle said she “didn’t remember the exact words” of that part of the conversation.
Harper denied Davies’ request to lower Miller’s bail and allow him to move into his Port Angeles home under electronic supervision until after the evaluation results are presented to the court.
“I have no direct experience with bipolar disorder, but my understanding is that if patients are not properly medicated, they can cause all sorts of problems which is what happened here,” Davies said.
Miller said his medication levels need adjustment.
“These medications are based on prescriptions that are 2½ years old,” he said.
“I am not on a high enough medication level. I know that.”
Davies said adjusting Miller’s medication so he is stabilized is essential before beginning a trial.
“When he is on his medication, he is not a threat to anybody,” Davies said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
