PORT ANGELES — The trial of a Sequim man charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a Port Angeles man in May 2014 has been rescheduled for late February.
Nathaniel Darren Olson, 28, had been scheduled to go to trial Monday in the killing of 25-year-old Matthew R. Baker, but on Sept. 10, the case was rescheduled for Feb. 29 as part of an order for continuance issued by Clallam County Superior Court.
The continuance was issued because Olson’s attorney, Karen Unger of Port Angeles, is representing a client in a different case out of the area at this time, according to the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
This is the fourth time the jury trial has been reset since the shooting. The three previous resets were due to the delay of DNA evidence tests.
Olson has waived his right to a speedy trial.
He is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement for allegedly shooting Baker following an altercation with another man at a birthday party at 1523 Monroe Road early May 22, 2014.
Baker died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, an autopsy revealed.
Maintains innocence
Olson has maintained his innocence and currently is not in custody.
Sheriff’s deputies and a Port Angeles police officer said they found a “heavily intoxicated” Olson lying on the living room floor near Baker’s body when they responded to a 9-1-1 call, according to the arrest narrative.
Attendees of the birthday party identified Olson as the suspected shooter, authorities said.
A witness told investigators he heard a shot, went upstairs to the living room and heard Olson say, “I shot him,” court papers said.
Another witness said there had been a fight between Baker and another man, David Holden, before the shooting.
The witness said she was taking shots of alcohol with a group of people in the dining area when she heard a “pop” from the living room.
Olson purportedly told the witness that Baker “came at me.”
Investigators found a .45-caliber Sig Sauer pistol in the residence and a .45-caliber bullet near Baker’s body. Olson was registered with a concealed-pistol license at the time, according to the arrest narrative.
Several pieces of evidence were sent to a State Patrol crime lab.
Bail reduced
Olson’s bail was reduced from $500,000 to $75,000 in June 2014 after Unger argued Olson had no violent history, held a steady job as a geoduck diver and had strong ties to Clallam County.
Olson posted bail June 10, 2014, and was placed on an alcohol monitoring bracelet.
He was allowed to remove the device a week later because of the potential for its damage because of his work as a diver.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
