PORT ANGELES — Accused double-murderer Patrick B. Drum has reversed his decision to represent himself at trial, which has been postponed from August to October.
The 34-year-old Sequim man is charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder in the deaths of Jerry W. Ray, 56, of Port Angeles and Gary L. Blanton Jr., 28, of Sequim.
Drum, a convicted felon who allegedly told authorities he was targeting sex offenders, also is charged with first-degree burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Drum told Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams on June 28 that he wanted to be his own lawyer, saying: “I stood up for a belief, and the attorneys don’t have the same belief that I do.”
Drum said he changed his mind about representing himself after speaking with his friends and family.
“I’ve got a lot of people that I care about deeply begging me to keep my counsel,” said Drum while asking Williams for an attorney Friday.
Williams reappointed Port Angeles attorney Karen Unger to Drum’s defense.
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly announced Wednesday that she would not seek the death penalty in Drum’s case and will instead seek life imprisonment without parole.
Unger and Ronald Ness previously were appointed as Drum’s standby attorneys. Ness was relieved of the responsibility Friday.
Unger moved to postpone the Aug. 6 trial on Drum’s request.
Kelly did not object.
“While I think the state could be ready to go, I would not oppose [a continuance] given the nature of the case,” Kelly said.
Williams reset the two- to three-week trial for Oct. 22.
A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Sept. 14.
Drum waived his right to a speedy trial to accommodate the new trial date.
Drum is being held without bail in a segregated Clallam County jail cell after attacking an inmate he was told was a registered sex offender.
Blanton and Ray, who were registered sex offenders, were shot multiple times, authorities said.
The two men’s bodies were found June 3 inside their homes in Port Angeles and Sequim.
Kelly said in a statement that she decided against seeking the death penalty because she thinks a jury might find reasons for leniency.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.