Trial dates reset in strangulation murder case

PORT ANGELES — Kevin A. Bradfield’s murder trial for the strangulation death of a developmentally disabled woman has been reset for Feb. 4.

The 23-year-old Port Angeles man is charged with first-degree premeditated murder for the October 2011 death of Jennifer Pimentel, 27.

Meanwhile, the woman accused of helping Bradfield hide Pimentel’s body near the Hood Canal Bridge in East Jefferson County had her first-degree rendering-criminal-assistance trial reset for Feb. 25.

Kendell K. Huether, 26, is accused of standing idly by as Bradfield strangled Pimentel in her Port Angeles apartment, then helping her boyfriend hide the body.

Bradfield and Huether both have had each of their trials delayed numerous times.

Most recently, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brooke Taylor granted a continuance in the Bradfield case because the results of a psychological evaluation are not yet available.

Defense attorney Loren Oakley of Clallam Public Defender told the judge during a Nov. 30 hearing that he has not received the final report from his expert witness, Dr. John Lloyd.

Taylor set a Jan. 11 status hearing for Bradfield, who is being held in the Clallam County jail in lieu of $1 million bond.

Trial time conflict

Huether’s November trial was delayed because her defense attorney, Karen Unger of Port Angeles, had a conflict with an older Whatcom County rape case that needed to be heard first.

Furthermore, Unger argued in court papers that Bradfield should go to trial before Huether because her case is tied to the murder case.

County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ann Lundwall objected to the continuance. Lundwall said the state is prepared for trial, according to the minutes of the hearing.

Taylor set a Jan. 17 status hearing for Huether, who is living in Port Angeles on electronic home monitoring.

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