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June 7th, 2006

JURY CONVICTS DEFENDANT IN ASSAULT OF POLICE OFFICER

SKAGIT COUNTY - Skagit County Prosecutor Tom Seguine today announced that a Skagit County jury convicted Donald Metz of the two crimes charged against him, Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Officer, and Assault in the Second Degree. The jury deliberated for 30 minutes before announcing the verdict.

The evidence in the case indicated that Skagit County Sergeant Bonnie Bowers attempted to stop the defendant while she was patrolling in the Burlington area. Rather than yield to Sergeant Bowers, Metz led Bowers on a chase which ended at a residence in Burlington, which he quickly entered, shutting the door behind him. Bowers and other officers sought entry but were denied by a relative of Metz, who insisted on a search warrant. A warrant was secured. As the warrant was being served the defendant exited the apartment and attempted to move past officers who had secured the area. The defendant was arrested on the Eluding Charge, but began to struggle with arresting officers, including members of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Department and the Burlington Police Department. After being subdued and while being moved to a police vehicle the defendant, without warning, violently “head butted” a Burlington officer, causing him to sustain significant jaw injuries, giving rise to the Second Degree Assault charge.

Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Seguine said “Police officers put their lives at risk everyday for the public. Still, they don’t sign up to be injured, especially when those injuries are inflicted maliciously, as was obvious in this case. We are happy that the jury delivered a complete and decisive verdict.”

The defendant faces a standard term of confinement of 15-20 months, in part because he has prior convictions. The prosecution was handled by Chief Criminal Deputy Dona Bracke; Metz was represented by Deputy Public Defender Michael Prince. Judge David Needy presided over the trial, which lasted three days.

For further information, contact Tom Seguine, Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney, at 360-336-9460.