by Sequim Gazette Staff

A Sequim man accused of assaulting two sheriff’s deputies pleaded not guilty in Clallam County Superior Court on Friday, March 25.

Deputies said they responded to a domestic dispute call March 14 in the Happy Valley area south of Sequim and suffered substantial injuries while trying to subdue 21-year-old Ha-Qwenith Grinnell.

Grinnell pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree assault and one count of harassment, making threats to kill. His defense attorney, Alex Stalker, said he won’t seek a competency hearing but there are obvious issues of diminished capacity.

Stalker requested Grinnell be allowed to communicate with the family member he is accused of threatening to kill, after the court received a letter from the family member asking the court remove the no-contact order filed after the incident.

Judge Craddock Verser, a visiting judge from Jefferson County, removed the no-contact order.

Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Troberg requested bail be raised to $75,000.

“When Mr. Grinnell was confronted by two officers, he laid them both out,” Troberg said.

Stalker argued that Grinnell is “calm and collected” since resuming his medication and his family has indicated he is welcome to come home.

Verser ruled against raising bail and it remains set at $50,000.

Grinnell is scheduled to stand trial May 16.