By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Ronald A. Brady pleaded not guilty today to first-degree murder in connection with April’s fatal shooting of a suspected burglar outside his Onalaska house.
Ronald A. Brady
Brady, 60, had already been arraigned in the case, but today’s court hearing followed the increase of charges from manslaughter to murder.
He remains free on an $50,000 unsecured appearance bond.
Deputy Prosecutor Colin Hayes and defense attorney Don Blair hashed out various issues today with a judge about what will be allowed at the upcoming trial.
Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler nixed the deputy prosecutor’s attempt to charge Brady with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter.
Hayes said it was a strategic move for the state to “cover its bases” while Blair called it the “wet noodle approach.”
Brady has admitted opening fire on Thomas McKenzie and McKenzie’s estranged wife Joanna McKenzie, telling sheriff’s detectives he was staying overnight at the unoccupied house in case burglars from earlier in the day returned. The 56-year-old Morton man died at the scene and his wife escaped uninjured.
Brady is charged with and has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault for allegedly shooting at Joanna McKenzie.
Hayes told the court he wants to prevent Blair from telling the jury the details of Joanna McKenzie’s subsequent conviction for attempted burglary from that night.
He argued that she made a so-called Alford plea, not admitting guilt.
Lawler postponed making ruling on the issue. The attorneys expect to meet with the judge again to bring him more information about their reasoning.
A new trial date was scheduled for the week of April 25.
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Read “Onalaska shooting: Charges upped from manslaughter to first-degree murder” from Monday Nov. 22, 2010 here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter