PORT ANGELES — Trial has been rescheduled for a Silverdale man charged with attempted murder after he wounded a Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy in a shootout in January 2009.
An evidence hearing for Scott L. Davis had been set for Tuesday but was rescheduled for June 29 because his defense attorney, Harry Gasnick, had major surgery.
The 10-day trial, which has been delayed several times, had been set for May 3 but now is scheduled to start on July 19 in Clallam County Superior Court.
Davis, 60, is charged with first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault for wounding Deputy Bill Cortani at a vacant waterfront cabin near Sekiu in January 2009.
Davis is being held on $500,000 bail at the Clallam County jail.
He was found to be mentally incompetent to stand trial last May and was ordered to undergo treatment at Western State Hospital in Tacoma.
A January trial was postponed because Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly had not seen evidence from the defense on a mental evaluation performed on Davis.
Shootout
Cortani was investigating a trespassing complaint at a cabin near Milepost 7 on state Highway 112 when he encountered Davis, who fired on the Forks lawman with a handgun.
Cortani fired back, hitting Davis in the stomach and left arm.
During the exchange, Cortani sustained wounds to the arm and hip. He held Davis at gunpoint until backup arrived.
Both men were treated for their wounds at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Cortani, who soon returned to the beat, was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2009 by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs and received the National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor and Purple Heart.
He also received a Medal of Valor award from Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict.
He was named officer of the month by the television show “Washington’s Most Wanted.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
