PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man who is facing multiple drug and weapons charges is considering a plea offer.
Gerald Neil Walkup on Friday had his trial dates moved from Monday to Nov. 13 and Nov. 27 to allow attorneys to negotiate a settlement in two felony cases, court papers said.
Walkup, 27, is charged in one case with single counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver heroin and methamphetamine, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon and four counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
After a high-speed chase April 2, Walkup allegedly crashed a vehicle in Gales Addition. The wreck led to the discovery of 950 grams of heroin, more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, four guns, about 20 cellphones, dozens of car keys, 100 ounces of silver and about $9,000 in cash, according to the affidavit for probable cause.
Walkup, a convicted felon, is charged in another pending case with second-degree intentional assault/reckless infliction of substantial bodily harm for his role in an alleged assault in the Clallam County jail July 12.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney April King said Friday that the initial plea offer from defense attorney Stan Myers was a “good starting point,” according to the minutes of the hearing. King added that more negotiations were needed.
Walkup agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial to allow the sides to hammer out an agreement.
Absent a plea deal, Walkup’s Nov. 13 trial for the drugs and weapons case is expected to last three days. A Nov. 27 trial on the assault charge is also scheduled for three days.
Walkup is being held in the Clallam County jail on $260,000 bail.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.