By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 85-year-old Vader city council member jailed last week for allegedly threatening to kill his wife pleaded not guilty today in Lewis County Superior Court.
Andrew Wilson Jr. was accompanied in the Chehalis courtroom by two female friends and his attorney, J.P. Enbody.
“Not guilty, your honor,” Wilson said wearing a hearing aid as well as using court-provided auditory assistance equipment.
Wilson, who retired from the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, has served three times as a council member – including as mayor – in the south Lewis County town.
He was charged last Thursday with one count of felony harassment, threat to kill, domestic violence, following his arrest the evening before at his Vader home. He is out of custody on a $5,000 signature bond.
Charging papers say his 61-year-old wife grabbed her purse and ran out of their house after he got angry about her withdrawing money out of their joint savings account.
He allegedly got in her face, doubled up his fist and told her if she didn’t put it back, he would “shoot her f****** brains out.” He then allegedly walked toward the back bedroom where he keeps several guns and ammunition.
The court last week ordered Wilson to surrender all his firearms and signed a no-contact order.
On Friday, he filed for a divorce from his wife of five years, as well as motioned the court to prevent her from transferring any property and asked the court to make her vacate the home so he can move back in.
Felony harassment has a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Wilson’s trial was scheduled for March.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter