PORT ANGELES — Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Nathaniel Darren Olson, a Sequim man charged in the shooting death of a fellow partygoer in May 2014.
Olson, 29, is charged with first-degree manslaughter with a firearm enhancement in the death of Matthew R. Baker.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office alleges that Olson intentionally shot Baker during an alcohol-fueled social gathering at a Monroe Road residence shortly after midnight May 22, 2014.
Baker died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to an autopsy. He was 25.
Olson’s trial is expected to take two to 2½ weeks, Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michele Devlin said Friday.
Jury selection will take place Monday, Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, Devlin said.
She said the case involves “a lot” of evidence and witnesses.
The trial has been reset several times because of delays in DNA testing.
Olson posted a $75,000 bail bond in June 2014 and has remained out of custody. He is represented by Port Angeles attorney Karen Unger.
Olson was originally charged with second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement. The charge was amended Feb. 4.
A person commits first-degree manslaughter when he or she recklessly causes the death of another person.
The state has assembled 31 witnesses for trial, including law enforcement officers and forensic scientists.
Social gathering
Other testimony will be gleaned from those who attended the social gathering at 1523 Monroe Road.
Sheriff’s deputies and a Port Angeles police officer who responded to the 9-1-1 call said they found a “heavily intoxicated” Olson lying on the living room floor near Baker’s body, according to the affidavit for probable cause.
Attendees of the gathering identified Olson as the suspected shooter, authorities said.
One witness told investigators there had been a fight between Baker and another man prior to the shooting.
The witness said she was taking shots of alcohol with a group of people when she heard a “pop” from the living room.
Olson reportedly told the witness that Baker “came at me,” court papers said.
Investigators found a .45-caliber Sig Sauer pistol at the residence.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
