Jose M. Almanza is rolled into the courtroom for his bail hearing.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 19-year-old who got stabbed in the shin when he allegedly tried to forcibly take an acquaintance’s backpack is scheduled for an arraignment next week, but authorities said they plan to seek a mental evaluation.
Jose M. Almanza, 19, of Chehalis, was arrested early last Tuesday morning and then charged later in the day with second-degree attempted robbery.
Prosecutors said Almanza had been admitted to the hospital days earlier for being under the influence of Spice and that he was incoherent when officers spoke with him at the hospital on Tuesday, according to court documents.
He said he was “sorry”, asked “how is everyone” and stated “I thought he gave me the backpack,” when he was questioned, according to the documents.
His arrest came after police were called about 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday for a physical altercation near the freeway onramp at the Main Street-state Route 6 interchange, according to the Chehalis Police Department.
Police learned from the 41-year-old victim that Almanza had showed up at his nearby camp around midnight and was given an extra tent to stay in, but as time went on, Almanza became agitated, so the older man decided to leave and walk towards town, according to court documents.
The victim said Almanza followed him and began to demand his backpack, and when he refused, Almanza punched him in the face, court documents relate. The 41-year-old pulled out a folding knife from his pocket and when they went to the ground and Almanza continued to hit him, he stabbed Almanza in the leg, created some distance and called 911 for help, according to the court documents.
Both men were taken to the hospital to be treated. The 41-year-old man’s partial denture was broken, according to prosecutors.
When Almanza was brought in to Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon, he was rolled in in a wheel chair.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller told the judge he he had been working full time in the industrial park, but if his bail was very high he would lose that income. She said her client had no criminal history.
Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher told the judge Almanza’s parents were in the courtroom and very concerned about his mental condition. Meagher asked that bail be set at $50,000.
Judge Andrew Toynbee agreed.
“The state anticipates there will be a request for a competency evaluation,” Meagher said.
Charging documents state Almanza was arrested for fourth-degree assault around the same time he was hospitalized for being on Spice and was just released from jail on Monday.
He was given a court appointed lawyer and his arraignment was put on the court calendar for Thursday.
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For background, read “Chehalis: Victim pulls knife on alleged thief” from Tuesday June 6, 2017, here
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