Austin C. Courtright, in red, consults with his lawyer during his bail hearing.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – It may have been an accident, but it was also negligent so a charge of third-degree assault was filed against the Centralia resident whose pistol in his pocket discharged, striking his girlfriend in the leg, according to prosecutors.
Austin C. Courtright, 18, was arrested on Monday and brought before a judge yesterday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.
Judge Nelson Hunt set his bail at $25,000.
Centralia police learned of the incident very early on Monday morning when they were summoned to an Olympia hospital for the 21-year-old gunshot victim.
According to authorities, it happened in Centralia, but the victim and Courtright chose Providence St. Peter Hospital, hoping to avoid arrest for warrants.
Charging documents relate that they were in the basement of a house on First Street in Centralia, with at least two other people.
Kristina Bailey was sitting on Courtright’s lap, legs straddled and facing him, when the gun went off, hitting her in her inner right thigh, according to statements given to police.
Courtright said his hand was on the gun when it fired, but he thought it was unloaded because he had removed the bullets from the clip, according to the statements.
The group took her to someone else’s house and then to the hospital.
Police recovered the bullet, which fell out of her pants while they were in the car, according to court documents. Centralia detective Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald described the weapon as a small caliber handgun.
Bailey was treated and released from the hospital the same day.
Courtright told police he didn’t know what happened to the gun or other bullets, but thought maybe they fell out of his pocket between the house and the car, court documents relate. It hadn’t been located as of yesterday.
Courtright was also charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
He’s not allowed to possess firearms because of a felony conviction earlier this year for first-degree malicious mischief and juvenile convictions for second-degree escape and fourth-degree assault domestic violence, according to Deputy Prosecutor Sheila Weirth.
“The defendant said he knew he should not have the gun, but was afraid of being victimized by gang members who used to be his friends,” Weirth wrote in charging documents.
He also has a juvenile conviction from 2012 for second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors asked for much higher bail, citing a community safety risk, but defense attorney Joely O’Rourke asked for her client to be released as his mother, who was in the courtroom, was willing to co-sign a signature bond.
There was a hold on him from JRA, the state Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, and he wanted to take care of that issue, O’Rourke said.
“It looks like he’s going to be serving about four months,” she said.
Judge Hunt said no, he didn’t want to take a chance on some other state agency taking the defendant away, and Lewis County not getting him back.
The offenses Courtright is charged with are class C felonies, with maximum penalties of five years in prison.
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For background, read “Police: Handgun in Centralia teen’s pocket accidentally fired, wounding girlfriend” from Monday November 30, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Who cares what Nelson Hunt says. He deserves to be locked up with the rest of the criminals, Cant stand crooked cops or judges.
Why is this guy telling on his friends? He is the one who shot his girlfriend.
No sympathy for the girl. Run with dogs and you’re going to get bit.
Either start hanging out with a better grade of people (should not be too difficult) or get your tubes tied before you spawn the next generation of trash.
Seriously women, start choosing men you can be proud of.
Sunshine Girl the California shooting has been linked to ISIS. So we are at war here on US soil. Laws no longer apply to felons owning guns during time of war. check the news
Boy you got some real winners on here tonight , better grab my gun before the millions of Muslims get me LOL
Let’s just hope these two folks do not have children together.
Thug Liiiiiiife!!!
Judge Hunt said no, he didn’t want to take a chance on some other state agency taking the defendant away, and Lewis County not getting him back. Police agencys are now fighting over convicts and the money it pays to lock them up. Yes he was in the wrong and needs a gun safety course for sure. But taking someones gun rights away for life is wrong, when we have ISIS Muslims on the loose here in the Homeland. Everyone should have a right to protect life and liberty. Taking away a Cavemans spear and rocks would be a direct comparison to weapons and how they have advanced over time. One is given a God given right to self protection. The judicial system is broken. In God we trust and in our modern weapons also. Taking any mans right to defend his Castle is a direct violation of Gods law. Mans law is overthrown by Gods Law… Do your time you get 100% of your rights back not punishment for life as Muslims invade our country.
you know the ones they have at 4 am lol
lol,… the public shame. These kids dont give a . The system is broke. Dont ramble on about how we need more police and less guns. We have cams on every overpass from here to portland to seattle but you cant put one on your little badge. pathetic. Bobby youre late for your soccer mom meeting.
Yup we believe that. The 18 year old was not sure what happened to the gun….it may have fallen out of his pocket. More like thrown into a river. Dumbass.
some people are just flat to dumb to have a gun. only thing better is if it would have went through his manhood. darwin would be proud.