Superior Criminal Court, October 9, 2026: A Week of Preliminary Appearances and Arraignments

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA–  Ursula K. Le Guin’s translation of verse 49 of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching reads:

Trust And Power

The wise have no mind of their own,
finding it in the minds
of ordinary people.

They’re good to good people
and they’re good to bad people.
Power is goodness.
They trust people of good faith
and they trust people of bad faith.
Power is trust.

They mingle their life with the world,
they mix their mind up with the world.
Ordinary people look after them.
Wise souls are children.

Maintaining service to the ordinary people, who most commonly move through the criminal legal system, is an essential orientation of those with power, most especially the judge, regardless of their fears and dislikes of people’s behaviors. 

On October 9 in Superior Criminal Court, we saw people carrying allegations of assault and animal abuse on the stage of great power dynamics. Not every courtroom is lucky to have a judge ruling with trust; an important consideration for the upcoming Supreme Court Judge elections.  

Preliminary appearances and arraignments:

David Stenhouse was arraigned on an amended charge of escape in the second degree from a detention facility without authorization. He pleaded not guilty. 

Scott Thompson was charged with assault in the second degree, domestic violence; malicious mischief for causing damage to a van window and cell phone in excess of $750; interfering with domestic violence reporting; violating a protection order; and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Thompson pleaded not guilty. His omnibus hearing will be October 23, pretrial on November 20 and trial the week of December 7.

Kendrik Hinson was charged with domestic violence assault in the second degree, violation of a protection order, criminal impersonation and domestic violence assault in the fourth degree. Hinson pleaded not guilty. His omnibus hearing will be October 23, pretrial November 20 and trial the week of December 7.

Parker Fetting is charged with malicious mischief in excess of $750 in damages to the Fairground’s parking lot. He pleaded not guilty. His omnibus is set for December 4, pretrial on December 18 and trial the week of January 4.

Katherine Almaden is charged with eight counts of animal cruelty in the second degree; charges 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 are for 2024, and two counts of animal cruelty in the first degree in 2025. Almaden was appointed a defense with Jefferson Associated Counsel. She pleaded not guilty. Her omnibus hearing will be December 4, pretrial December 18 and trial the week of January 4.

Olivia Wilkens is charged with assault in the second degree with a deadly weapon enhancement (a silver pistol), unlawful carrying of a dangerous weapon (brass knuckles), minor in possession of liquor and possession of a pistol with a full magazine under the age of 21. Wilkens will be assigned counsel with a local attorney. She posted a $25,000 bond and has a no-contact order in place. Her arraignment will be October 23.    

Updates:

Daniel Gilmore had one case dismissed without prejudice to be resolved in District Court. There has been no resolution for his second case and he intends to go to trial. The court ordered the summons of 70 people.

Jane Franklin waived her rights to a speedy trial for a mens rea investigation—a legal examination of a defendant's mental state and intent when the alleged crime occurred. Omnibus was reset to December 4, pretrial on December 18 and trial the week of January 4. Judge Brandon Mack reserved a ruling on the motion to forfeit the $5,000 bail based on how the case proceeds. Mack stated his concerns about whether Franklin committed knowing and willful action. Franklin's next hearing will be November 6. 

James Stanhope failed to appear for his omnibus hearing. A $5,000 warrant was issued.

Christopher Pifer will petition to enter Drug Court.

Why we are reporting on this:

Our goal is to bring transparency to the Jefferson County legal system. We believe understanding the court system helps highlight what needs to be fixed, as well as what types of support are available within the criminal justice system. It’s hard to change what you can’t see, and we believe transparency will bring the accountability needed.

We also intend this work as an effort to keep the community together when the criminal justice system and stigma isolate individuals disproportionately affected by poverty and oppression. 

Where we get our information from:

Our reporter attends Superior Court and follows up with the legal representation or the judge if anything is unclear.

Our approach to covering the court system:

We follow court cases from arraignment to sentencing, paying special attention to the programs that help the accused find ways to improve their lives and to the places where the legal system fails those whose criminal behavior is the result of unaddressed external issues, such as poverty or abuse.