By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Centralia man accused of assaulting a trooper alongside the freeway last month was finally arraigned yesterday and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Don K. Gonzales, 23, was suffering from some type of mental issue when the events occurred but has gotten stabilized during his time in jail, according to his attorney.
“He’s made a remarkable recovery,” Defense attorney Ken Johnson said yesterday afternoon.
Gonzales was walking along the shoulder of Interstate 5 near Main Street in Chehalis on July 3 when Trooper Rob Moore contacted him. After Moore told him to drop a knife, Gonzales allegedly threw a semi truck lug nut at the trooper’s face, breaking his nose and his glasses.
He is charged second-degree assault, plus three counts of third-degree assault regarding the wrestling match in which three passersby jumped in to help the trooper detain him.
Gonzales has been locked up on a no-bail hold, but yesterday Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey set bail at $250,000. A trial date was scheduled for the week of October 8.
Johnson says there is the potential of an insanity plea.
“There’s nothing that went on that was at all logical,” Johnson said of the events of July 3.
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For background, read:
• “View from the ground: Helping trooper take down fighting suspect” from Sunday July 15, 2012, here [1]
• “Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup” from Thursday July 5, 2012, here [2]