Carl E. Griffith Jr. is brought before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court for a bail hearing.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Bail was set at twice what prosecutors requested for the Salkum man who reportedly aimed a cross-bow at his 24-year-old niece and told her he would kill her if she returned to his mother’s residence.
Carl E. Griffith Jr. was arrested Wednesday and then charged yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court with second-degree assault and harassment.
The incident came to the attention of law enforcement on Tuesday when a mental health provider at Valley View Health in Toledo reported Griffith had come in for a session, in an emotional and extremely agitated state.
According to court papers, Griffith, 45, told the provider about how much he hated his niece, Miranda Griffith, because of her lifestyle and described what he had done.
He said she was at his mom’s home doing laundry when he began yelling at her, grabbed the bow, placed it in full draw and pointed it at her, according to the documents. He said he then pulled her out of the house by the hair and threw her into the front yard, the documents state.
Authorities said the incident occurred on Feb. 7 at the 2100 block of Spencer Road where he lives with his mother and his fiancé.
Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Blye told the judge yesterday afternoon that she thought bail should be set at $50,000, citing past convictions of second-degree assault and witness tampering as well as four convictions for fourth-degree assault.
Defense attorney Joely O’Rourke said the allegations seemed out of character for her client and requested a $25,000 unsecured bond, co-signed by Griffith’s brother.
Judge James Lawler said the allegations were very serious.
“I can’t ignore that, these are just far too severe to have unsecured bail,” Lawler said. “I’m setting bail at $100,000, cash or surety.”
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday Griffith went into great detail about what he would do with his niece. He spoke of eviscerating her with knives and spoke graphically of what he would do with her corpse, charging documents allege.
Detectives interviewed the niece as well as an un-named individual who witnessed the assault, according to court documents.
When the residence was searched on Wednesday, deputies located a compound bow, a cross bow and numerous arrows.
His arraignment is scheduled for next Thursday.
O’Rourke also told the judge she believed Griffith would qualify for a court appointed lawyer, as his income comes from disability benefits.
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For background, read “Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup – PLAN TO KILL, THREAT TO SHOOT WITH BOW AND ARROW INVESTIGATED” from Thursday February 25, 2016, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Well john Id shoot him between the eyes upon attempt. The 2nd keeps nut cases like this in line. I see a varity of them walking the Sintralia Streets almost everyday. Thousands fall through the cracks. If he really that bad then why is he not in Western State?
Or was that his brother? Cool family
Are you serious? He is sick and probably WILL kill someone next time. Thank God he told someone about his homicidal tendencies. Doctors have an obligation to the public to report things like this. Suppose he made a report about a plan to kill you and they did nothing and he was given a bottle of pills and a nap and released and told they hope he feels better. Then he gets angry at the sight of your ugly face tomorrow and splits your head open with an ax? How would you feel about that? This stuff really does happen. This is why care providers are required to reports threats of violence.
if only they had taken away his bow and arrow rights. lol
So much for patient doctor,privacy. The guy didnt harm anyone. Yes he could have but didnt.., just get him the mental health help he needs not jail…