Man makes first appearance on attempted murder charge

by Brad W. Gary<br>Herald Staff Writer
| November 30, 2004 8:00 PM

EPHRATA — A 20-year-old transient man who told police he stabbed a motel manager because he talked to him through the motel room walls made his first appearance in Superior Court on Monday.

Chase Zachary Campbell has been charged with second-degree attempted murder after allegedly using a hunting knife to stab the manager of the Grand Coulee Motel Wednesday night in Grand Coulee.

According to the Grand Coulee Police Department, Campbell had stayed at the motel for about two days when he allegedly attacked manager John D. Baty at the door to Baty's residence. Baty's residence is located next door to the office of the Grand Coulee Motel.

Baty was later taken to Coulee Community Hospital where he was treated for wounds endured in the alleged stabbing. He was released from the hospital early the next morning.

Grand Coulee Police were initially called to the scene at the Grand Coulee Motel just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Campbell was spotted walking away from the motel on Highway 155 where police arrested him.

Campbell was taken to the hospital where Grand Coulee Police said Baty's wife identified Campbell as the alleged assailant. Campbell was later booked into the Grant County Jail on the charges.

Grand Coulee Police Chief Melvin Hunt said that Campbell told officers that he attacked Baty because Baty had talked to Campbell through the motel room walls.

GCPD reports stated that Baty blocked blows from Campbell. Campbell allegedly inflicted stab wounds to the head, chest and neck of Baty during the assault.

Hunt said the GCPD is submitting a hunting knife with a six-inch blade to the crime lab in Spokane. Hunt said the knife is the weapon the GCPD believes to have been used by Campbell in the assault.

Campbell said little during his first appearance, only to acknowledge that he was aware of the charges against him. Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline appointed Brett Hill to represent Campbell in the case. Attorney Stephen Scott is prosecuting the case for the state. Campbell will make his next appearance in court for arraignment on the charges Dec. 6. Judge Sperline set bail at $250,000 in the case.