Superior Criminal Court, June 26, 2026: Healing One Step At A Time
Everything in life takes time, but the court system can stretch an adage to its limit.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — Things take time is a regular theme in the court system. Criminal court on June 26 brought a series of speedy trial waivers and reset trial dates. It also brought Jeramy Vines, who had spent the previous 15 years in a hospital before reengaging with the community, and the new journey of stabilization Chandra Anderson is now setting on.
Jane Franklin, Aaron Arnes, and Tia Gilpatrick are all in negotiations with the state and reset their dates. Galpatrick and Franklin waived their rights to speedy trial. All of their dates were reset for pretrial on September 11, with trial the week of September 21.
Arraignments:
On May 18, Benjamin David was charged with custodial assault of a staff member at the Olympic Corrections Center in Forks, Washington. At his arraignment, he was appointed Jefferson Associated Council and pleaded not guilty. The court passed an order to transfer David to Clallam Bay Corrections Center. His omnibus will be July 13, pretrial on August 28, and trial on September 8.
Tracy Cottrell was charged on June 23 with two counts of domestic violence. He was released on a $10,000 bail and allegedly broke his no contact order, for which he was arraigned. He pleaded not guilty. The state asked for a $25,000 bail, the court set his bail at $10,000. His omnibus hearing will be July 24, with a pretrial on August 14, and trial the week of August 25.
Rebecca Richins was charged on June 15 with organized retail theft in the second degree for $1,859.88 of merchandise. She was appointed counsel from Jefferson Associated Counsel, and pleaded not guilty. Attorney Lillian Powers entered a petition for Richins to enter drug court. Richins is set to appear in drug court on August 2.
Reviews:
Jeramy Vines was committed to Western State Hospital July 2010, a month after his charge of assault in the first degree, and was found not guilty by reason of insanity on February 1, 2011.
Diagnosed with Schizophrenia at an early age, Vines, entered under the care of the Department of Health and Social Services (DSHS), with maximum term commitment equal to life.
After being committed, his mental health improved through treatment and he was then diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Vines began staff assisted outings in 2024. He has utilized his community access privileges without any issues, has complied with medication treatment, and completed his latest outpatient substance abuse treatment program in June of 2025.
After 15 years in the DSHS hospital, Vines was granted conditional, unsupervised day outings On June 26. He will be applying for overnight privileges to stay with his mother, who resides in Jefferson County. She has been a main source of community support for Vines.
The special hearing for overnight stays was not scheduled, but will include testimony from experts.
Updates:
Chandra Anderson pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree with a mental health alternative to enter treatment after her release from custody, and entered an Alford plea, meaning she is not pleading guilty but understands it is likely a jury would give a guilty conviction to burglary in the second degree.
Her attorney Lillian Powers spoke to the changes she’s witnessed in Anderson after receiving help and stabilizing on medication, “Her thinking has changed completely,” Powers said.
Jim Funaro, Victim Witness Coordinator, read the victim’s impact statement on her behalf. At the end she wrote, “I do not wish [Chandra Anderson] any harm. I hope she finds peace more than she seems to have now.”
Anderson addressed the court saying, “I apologize to [the victim]. I’m truly sorry for the grief I have caused her. I am not proud of what I did and hope she gets comfortable in her home again.”
Anderson has served six months in custody and will be released June 29 for transport to Peninsula Behavioral Health, where she will undergo mental health treatment. She will also spend two years being supervised by an officer in community custody.
The court waived all legal financial obligations. Judge Brandon Mack said he prefers to see people within the first few months of their sentencing to check on how they are doing. Anderson will have a review on July 17.
