New counsel appointed in Sequim man’s assault case

PORT ANGELES — A Sequim man who allegedly fired a semi-automatic handgun at a South Barr Road resident and pointed the weapon at another man in February has a new ­lawyer.

Keith Roberson, 55, will be represented by Sequim attorney Lawrence Freedman, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly ruled Friday.

Roberson told the judge that his working relationship with his court-appointed attorney, Loren Oakley of Clallam Public Defender, had reached an impasse.

Oakley said he met with Roberson in the Clallam County jail on May 25, June 1 and Wednesday.

“Mr. Roberson is still dissatisfied with my services and wants another lawyer,” Oakley said.

Assault charges

Roberson was charged Feb. 22 with first-degree assault while armed with a firearm and second-degree assault with a deadly weapon while armed with a firearm for alleged crimes that occurred Feb. 17.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office alleged that Roberson was going from house to house knocking on doors at about 4 a.m. when he was confronted by a neighbor.

Roberson allegedly aimed and fired the gun at the man from about 40 feet away, missing him by about 8 feet and leaving a hole in a fence, deputies said.

After firing the shot, Roberson allegedly entered a nearby residence and pointed the gun at a man who had grandchildren staying with him.

Roberson was alleged to have said, “If I’m going out, I’m not going out alone,” deputies wrote in court papers.

Authorities arrested Roberson in a nearby ­carport.

Roberson’s June 27 trial date is expected to be reset at his next court appearance Friday.

He is being held in the Clallam County jail on $250,000 bail.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

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