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News brief: One convicted, but case of Chehalis bar fight with two women, brass knuckles and knife may not be over

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Whether the victim of a stabbing who allegedly initiated a fight using brass knuckles last month outside a Chehalis bar will face criminal charges for her role remains to be seen.

Ashley Stewart, 22, suffered numerous knife wounds at the hands of now-24-year-old Lena A. Castillo.

Castillo pleaded guilty last week in Lewis County Superior Court to second-degree assault, following a deal in which prosecutors said she had a self defense claim. She was sentenced to six months in jail.

Prosecutors said Stewart started the short brawl, approaching Castillo and striking her twice outside Garbe’s bar on Northwest Chehalis Avenue. She admitted she used a pair of brass knuckles, Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said when Castillo was sentenced.

Brass knuckles are illegal to possess.

Halstead said possession is a misdemeanor but assault with a dangerous weapon could be second-degree assault as well.

Prosecutors are looking into it, Halstead said.

“Now that that case is over, we just have to look at other angles,” he said.

Chehalis police called it mutual combat after they were called on Jan. 12 to the scene and arrested Castillo.

Authorities said the disagreement was related to a male the Centralia women both previously had a relationship with.
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For background, read “No trial for Chehalis bar fight that included knife, brass knuckles, two women” from Wednesday February 27, 2013, here [1]