PORT ANGELES — Gary Carl Borneman won’t go to trial as scheduled next week for the October shooting death of Gerald “Jerry” Howell at a Port Angeles residence, attorneys have agreed.
Borneman, 40, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and five other charges related to the Oct. 7 shooting death of Howell and kidnapping of Rebecca Messinger.
“It’s not realistic to expect it to go to trial [Monday],” Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Troberg said Thursday.
“It’s very complex case. There is lots of evidence to be tested.”
A plea offer is being considered by defense attorney John Hayden and his client, according to court documents.
A review hearing is set for 9 a.m. today in Superior Court.
Port Angeles police say Borneman forced Messinger at gunpoint to drive him to her residence at 130 W. 11th St., where he allegedly shot Howell, 40, with a .22-caliber pistol.
Messinger told police that Borneman tied her to the driver’s seat and went inside the house, saying he had been planning to shoot Howell.
Messinger escaped from the vehicle and called 9-1-1 dispatchers as she hid in bushes in the alley behind the house.
Borneman is charged with single counts of first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful imprisonment, violation of a domestic violence protection order and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Firearm enhancements were added to the charges.
Borneman was treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for injuries suffered in a close-quarters gunfight with Howell, police have said.
He is being held in the Clallam County jail on $2 million bond.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
