Wayne Burdette appears in Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Mossyrock resident Wayne Burdette appeared briefly in court today when attorneys agreed on some of the scheduling details for his trial.
Burdette, 43, is being held on $500,000 bail for allegedly threatening an officer with his manner during a traffic stop last month in Mossyrock.
Burdette is charged with harassment; threat to kill and also with obstructing for his June 10 encounter with Mossyrock Officer Jeremy Stamper.
Charging documents allege he got out of his truck with his right hand behind his back and approached Stamper’s patrol car after being told to stay put, and continued advancing even as Stamper pointed his pistol at him.
When he was subsequently arrested, a loaded .40 caliber pistol was found in the small of Burdette’s back; it had a bullet in the chamber and the safety was off, according to charging documents.
Burdette has pleaded not guilty.
Defense attorney Ken Johnson today said he wasn’t inclined to talk about the case to the news media.
“The facts are going to have to come out in court,” Johnson said.
Burdette’s bail was increased twice, in part because Lewis County sheriff’s detectives found a journal in Burdette’s trailer home containing statements such as “How to kill cops” and “Teach body armor weak spot”, according to court documents.
In an order signed today, Burdette’s attorney noted his defense will be general denial.
A trial is set for the week of August 15. It is expected to last two days.
Burdette has no felony criminal history, but has a conviction for a gross misdemeanor sex offense. He is a level one registered sex offender.
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Note: Wayne Burdette’s age was incorrectly stated in a news story on June 29, 2011
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Read background on the case, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter