The Columbian Newspaper reports, ‘a 34 year old homeless man appeared in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of stabbing another man near a Vancouver church.’
In terms of procedure for criminal matters in Superior Court, the suspect made his first appearance. First appearance, is typically when the court makes a determination whether there is probable cause to exert jurisdiction over the case. In some instances, if probable cause is lacking, the court will allow the prosecuting attorney’s office the opportunity to supplement probable cause with additional information. The next step procedurally is arraignment. If probable cause is met, the court will then set conditions upon on the defendant including setting bail.
Arraignment is scheduled for November 1, 2013. And while the article indicates, the defendant is facing a charge of Assault in the First Degree. It will be at his arraignment, when the information filed by the prosecuting attorney’s office will specify exactly what charge or charges the defendant will face. If the incident involved a deadly weapon for example a knife. The prosecutor can add a deadly weapons enhancement to the charge.
Bail was set at $80,000.00 by the Honorable Judge David Gregerson. The suspect was appointed a criminal defense attorney by the court.
According to the article Jess Leonard criminal history includes first degree escape, domestic violence court order violation, false reporting, third degree assault and fourth degree assault. If convicted, Leonard’s criminal history can play a role in his prison exposure under the Washington Sentencing Reform Act.
