Hearing set anew for Wednesday in Port Angeles murder, kidnapping case

Gary Borneman ()

Gary Borneman ()

PORT ANGELES — A plea deal for accused murderer Gary Borneman is still on the table, and a hearing on the matter is scheduled for Wednesday.

Borneman, 40, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree kidnapping and five other charges related to the October shooting death of Jerry Howell and alleged kidnapping of Rebecca Messinger.

Borneman has pleaded not guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree kidnapping domestic violence, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful imprisonment domestic violence, violation of a domestic violence protection order and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Port Angeles police allege that Borneman kidnapped Messinger at gunpoint and shot Howell to death at a Port Angeles residence Oct. 7.

Police said Borneman tied Messinger to the driver’s seat of her vehicle, ordered her to drive to her West 11th Street residence and shot Howell with a 22.-caliber pistol.

Messinger, who is described in court papers as Borneman’s ex-girlfriend, escaped from the vehicle and called 9-1-1 as she hid in bushes behind the house she shared with Howell.

Borneman was treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for injuries suffered in a close-quarters gunfight with Howell, who was 40.

Several court hearings have been rescheduled in recent weeks to allow Borneman more time to consult with defense attorney John Hayden.

A hearing that was scheduled for Thursday was reset because Hayden was unavailable.

“He is out of town today. Therefore, I can’t really proceed with it,” defense attorney Loren Oakley told Clallam County Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly.

Noting that Hayden’s absence was expected, Melly reset the hearing for 9 a.m. Wednesday.

“I’m a little disturbed that all we’re doing is putting it over again,” Melly said.

“We could have done that last week.”

Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Troberg would not discuss the plea offer in a Thursday interview.

“I don’t want to talk about the offer while the case is still pending,” he said.

Several letters have been filed with the court asking Melly to reject a plea offer.

First-degree murder, kidnapping and burglary are each Class A felonies punishable by a maximum of life in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Firearm enhancements were added to Borneman’s charges.

He is being held in the Clallam County jail on $50,000 bond.

More in News

Janet Lucas, left, finds a special purchase of a “mail manager” at Swains early Friday morning. Black Friday shoppers descended on the Port Angeles store at 8 a.m. There were dozens of early risers who went looking for special bargains on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Black Friday

Janet Lucas, left, finds a special purchase of a “mail manager” at… Continue reading

Clallam adopts housing needs

Population projected at 86,700 by 2045

The Wall That Heals, a Vietnam War memorial, coming to Port Townsend

Opening ceremony to be held at Jefferson County airport on Sept. 11

Sherry Phillips, chair of the Festival of Trees design committee, stands next to the tree Twelve Days of Christmas, which she designed personally. (Leah Leach/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles woman shares joy of decorating trees

Sherry Phillips lends talent for all of festival’s 34 years

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Public hearings set on proposed 2025 budgets

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula

Serving up a Thanksgiving meal are, from left, Taylor Hale, Gina Landon, Shawn Lammers, Ryan Lammers, Sara Taylor and Jean Ball, all volunteers with Holiday Meals, located in the Tri-Area neighborhoods of Chimacum, Port Hadlock and Irondale. The group expected to serve up to 460 full Thanksgiving dinners with 287 being picked up, 118 delivered and 55 eaten at the Tri-Area Community Center. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Thanksgiving meals kick off holiday joy

Smiles, warmth light up Queen of Angels Catholic Church

From left, Gail Jangarrd, Bob Dunbar and Sammy Dionne treat a lucky dog to a biscuit made with organic, healthy and human-grade ingredients.
Gatheringplace to open public phase of capital campaign

Nonprofit to construct building for developmentally disabled

Port of Port Townsend on track to hit revenue goal

Agency receives eight bids on stormwater treatment project

The outside of the Vern Burton Community Center is decorated with giant Christmas balls and lighted trees on Wednesday for the opening ceremonies of the Festival of Trees. “White Christmas” was played by the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra’s brass quintet and then sung by Amanda Bacon. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Festival of Trees opens

The outside of the Vern Burton Community Center is decorated with giant… Continue reading

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Finishing touches

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on… Continue reading

Grants to help Port Angeles port upgrades

Projects, equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Joseph Molotsky holds Jet, a Harris’s hawk. Jet, 14 or 15, has been at Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue for about seven years. Jet used to hunt with a falconer and was brought to the rescue after sustaining injuries while attempting to escape an attack from a gray horned owl in Eastern Washington. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wild bird rescue to host open house

Officials to showcase expanded educational facilities