Port Angeles man accused in bus assault, two others, awaits mental health evaluation

Port Angeles man accused in bus assault, two others, awaits mental health evaluation

PORT ANGELES — Riley Edge White has a Dec. 2 date for a mental health evaluation at Western State Hospital.

White, 59, is facing multiple assault charges for a series of alleged unprovoked attacks in a Clallam Transit bus, the Clallam County jail and a Port Angeles residence.

The Port Angeles man pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in two of his three cases after being evaluated by defense psychiatrist Dr. Kenneth Muscatel.

White told police that he has seizures from a brain injury he sustained several years ago and does not remember his actions during his seizures.

Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michele Devlin is seeking a second mental health evaluation for White.

With a bed date looming, White waived his right to a speedy trial in a Wednesday court hearing.

Western State officials requested an inpatient evaluation based on the complex medical nature of the case, court papers said.

Attorneys are looking for ways for White to have a local provider conduct the second evaluation, according to the minutes of White’s court hearings.

Western State Hospital is in Lakewood, just south of Tacoma.

White is being held in the Clallam County jail on $200,000 bail.

He is charged in one case with two counts of second-degree assault and single counts of first-degree attempted kidnapping and first-degree attempted robbery for a May 28 incident on a Clallam Transit bus.

Port Angeles police said White assaulted an 80-year-old bus passenger and the driver. He also tried to kidnap the driver and take over the bus, police said.

White is charged in a second case with custodial assault for allegedly punching a corrections officer July 11.

He also is charged with second-degree assault for allegedly attacking a woman who rented a room at his South I Street house Aug. 27.

He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the alleged assaults on the bus and in the house. He pleaded simply not guilty in the alleged custodial assault.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.

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