Sentencing delayed for man who shot sheriff’s deputy

PORT ANGELES — The sentencing for a man convicted of attempting to murder a Clallam County sheriff’s deputy has been delayed until the end of September.

Scott L. Davis, 60, was convicted July 30, and his sentencing had been set for Thursday.

At a hearing held last Thursday, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams said the state Department of Corrections needed more time for its pre-sentencing investigation report.

Neither the prosecution nor defense objected.

“We don’t really have a choice,” Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly told Williams.

“We are hostage to them at this point.”

Harry Gasnick, Davis’ attorney, did not make any comments during the hearing.

The sentencing hearing was reset for Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. in Williams’ courtroom in Port Angeles.

The pre-sentencing investigation will look into whether there are any mitigating factors that should be considered by the judge during sentencing.

According to court documents, the Department of Corrections said the investigation is delayed because of a package of information from the defense that could be necessary when considering the sentence.

Gasnick had argued during the trial that Davis was suffering from mental-health problems at the time of the shooting.

Davis could spend up to 20 years in prison.

The jury found Davis guilty of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault for shooting Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Cortani — hitting him twice — at a West End cabin in January 2009.

Cortani, 42, was investigating a trespassing complaint when Davis opened fire.

He has returned to duty.

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