Superior Criminal Court, September 25, 2026: Many Speedy Trial Waivers and the Right to Firearms
The search for Soaring WhiteRaven Eagle continues.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA – There were no sentences on September 25 in Superior Criminal Court, unlike the week before. There were a series of continuations for diverse and interesting reasons, once again illuminating the complex nature of cases and human individuals.
Waiving the right to a speedy trial is no small matter. The Sixth Amendment exists to ensure people do not sit in jail without a verdict, that time-sensitive evidence and witnesses are not lost, and to reduce disruption of people’s lives. It often takes time for experts to become available or for negotiations between parties to resolve, like in this week’s expectations for a Drug Court petition.
Arraignments:
Malia VanLelyveld, charged on August 25 as an accomplice to assault of a minor with a deadly weapon, was assigned Julian St. Marie as her defense counsel. St. Marie waived the formal reading of charges and entered a not guilty plea on VanLelyveld’s behalf. Her omnibus hearing will be November 13, pretrial December 4 and trial is set for the week of December 14.
Kevin Sterling was charged on September 22 with two counts of unlawful possession of firearms in the second degree. Sterling is being represented by Lillian Powers with Jefferson Associated Counsel. His omnibus hearing will be November 13, with a pretrial on December 4 and trial set for the week of December 14.
Updates:
Michael Brown waived his right to a speedy trial to have time to bring in a strangulation expert for his case. They reset pretrial to June 18 and trial for the week of June 28, 2027. They set it so far out to accommodate prosecuting attorney Holly Graham’s return from maternity leave, which starts in February.
Talon Smith waived his right to a speedy trial and filed a motion to suppress, which is a motion to exclude evidence from the trial, which may have been obtained unjustly. The motion will be seen on November 13. Pretrial is set for December 18 and trial is set for the week of January 4.
Russell Kullander also waived his right to a speedy trial for a potential he will petition to be entered into Drug Court. His next hearing will be October 2. Judge Brandon Mack encouraged Kullander to observe Drug Court on Thursdays at 9 a.m.
Steve Redhead will have two months to dispose of his guns at the Sheriff’s office, after he pleaded guilty to second-degree malicious mischief for a forced entry into Station 41 fire station located at 272 Schoolhouse Road in Brinnon, Washington.
Soaring WhiteRaven Eagle still cannot be located. He was receiving treatment at Native American Rehabilitation and is potentially being held on charges in Clallam County.
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.
