PORT ANGELES — A two-week trial for Scott L. Davis, a Silverdale man accused of shooting a Clallam County deputy at a West End beach in January 2009, will begin on July 19.
Davis, 60, is charged with first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault after Deputy Bill Cortani was wounded during a shootout at a vacant waterfront cabin near Sekiu.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin 15 months ago. It was delayed for Davis to undergo a series of mental evaluations, which ultimately determined that he is competent to stand trial.
Davis is being held on $500,000 bail at the Clallam County jail.
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly argued in a pretrial hearing last week that statements Davis made after his arrest should be allowed in his trial.
“The court found the defendant’s statements were admissible,” Kelly said.
Mental health defense
At the end of the July 1 hearing in Clallam County Superior Court, defense attorney Harry Gasnick said he would present a defense based on Davis’ mental health during the trial.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office gave this account of the shootout.
Contani, 42, was responding to a trespassing call when he encountered Davis, who was squatting at the cabin near Milepost 7 on state Highway 112.
Davis shot Cortani twice with a handgun, hitting Cortani in the arm and hip.
The 18-year veteran deputy took cover behind a beach log and returned fire after Davis retrieved a shotgun.
Davis was hit in the stomach and left arm. Cortani held Davis at gunpoint until backup arrived about 20 minutes later.
Both men were treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Cortani returned to his West End beat soon after the incident.
In May, he received the state Law Enforcement Medal of Honor, the state’s highest law enforcement award.
He was also named the 2009 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs and received the National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor and Purple Heart.
He received the National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor and Purple Heart, and the Medal of Valor award from Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.