Jessie Stensland reports from Island County Superior Court for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
The former chairperson of the Island County Republican Party appeared in a courtroom packed with his supporters Wednesday to answer criminal charges related to his refusal to wear a mask in the Elections Office.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Joseph Wilson presided over the hearing via video. Tim Hazelo sat at the defendant’s table alone while his attorney, Austin Hatcher, appeared over video for the arraignment hearing. Hazelo pleaded “innocent” to charges of unauthorized access to voting center, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass in the first degree.
Hazelo was released on his personal recognizance, but the judge ordered him to stay out of the Island County Elections Office and to remain at least 100 feet from Island County Auditor Sheilah Crider and Elections Supervisor Michele Reagan, who are witnesses in the case.
The trial was set for May 6.
They Said It
Hatcher said in court that he plans to file a motion claiming that the prosecution can’t make a prima facie case against Hazelo.
[Island County Prosecutor Greg] Banks asked the judge to set standard conditions of release, which include instructions not to leave the state without approval from the court and not to move without approval of the court.
Hatcher said he took umbrage with the conditions. He pointed out that Hazelo is a longtime resident, has strong community ties, is the former chairperson of the county GOP party and has federal security clearance with his job.
Wilson agreed and didn’t impose those restrictions.
In addition, Hatcher argued against Banks’ request for a protection order to prevent Hazelo from going into the Elections Office or contacting the auditor or elections supervisor. Wilson, however, imposed the temporary protection order, pointing out that a judge has already found that probable cause exists to believe Hazelo committed the crimes he is charged with.
