PORT ANGELES — Discovery evidence has once again delayed the trial of Scott L. Davis, the man accused of shooting a Clallam County sheriff’s deputy.
Davis, 60, is charged with first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault for firing at Deputy Bill Cortani at a vacant waterfront cabin east of Neah Bay in January 2009.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams on Monday reset the 10-day trial for May 3. It was scheduled to begin later this month.
The court found Davis to be mentally incompetent to stand trial last May and ordered him to undergo treatment at Western State Hospital in Tacoma.
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly is waiting for the defense to hand over evidence from a mental evaluation.
The trial was also delayed because defense attorney Harry Gasnick has a trial in another case, Kelly explained.
If Davis is still found to be mentally unfit to stand trial, he could be placed in a mental health facility indefinitely.
Trespassing
He is accused of firing at Cortani with a handgun. Cortani was investigating a trespassing complaint at a cabin near Milepost 7 on state Highway 112.
When Davis ran out of ammunition, he retrieved a double-barrel shotgun from his car and pointed it at the Forks-based lawman, court documents show.
Davis injured
Cortani returned fire from his cover behind driftwood and hit Davis in the stomach and left arm.
Cortani sustained wounds to the arm and hip during the exchange. He held Davis at gunpoint until backup assistance arrived.
Both men were treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Cortani was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs last month,
Davis’ next hearing is set for April 15.
He is being held on $500,000 bail at the Clallam County jail.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
