PORT ANGELES — The trial of a former Sequim High School football player accused of assaulting a Clallam County sheriff’s deputy has been delayed because of an overlapping trial in Superior Court.
Ha-Qwenith Zachary Grinnell, 21, was originally scheduled to go to trial Monday.
A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. today. A new trial date is expected to be set.
On March 25, he pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree assault, third-degree assault and harassment after the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said he attacked deputies Michael Dick and Todd Yarnes and threatened to kill a family member March 14.
The second-degree assault charge was upgraded from third-degree assault after it was discovered that one of the deputies suffered a concussion and loss of memory.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Troberg said he increased the charge based on the severity of the injuries to the officer.
Court documents said Grinnell assaulted the deputies when they tried to detain him after responding to a domestic-violence call at a Sequim-area residence.
Grinnell allegedly punched Yarnes in the face twice and kicked him in the head while he was on the ground.
Dick struck Grinnell, then fell to the ground in the ensuing struggle.
Both deputies deployed their stun guns, which were unsuccessful in controlling Grinnell, before they pepper-sprayed the suspect and put him in handcuffs, court documents said.
Grinnell rejected a plea offer April 15.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge George L. Wood on April 28 signed an order for a psychiatric evaluation at Western State Hospital in Lakewood.
The court found a “need to determine whether the defendant suffered a mental disease or defect including insanity or diminished capacity at the time of the alleged crime.”
Grinnell was a standout linebacker for the Sequim High School football team.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.