COLFAX, Wash. -- The attorney for hit-and-run suspect Richard Pasma wants Whitman County prosecutors to clarify the prosecution's story of how they believe Kristen Grindley was found badly hurt on the side of a rural road outside of Pullman last year.
Pasma's defense filed a motion Friday morning asking for a delay in Pasma's arraignment. The attorney argued that the defense needs to know what the prosecution's theory is behind Grindley's injuries so they can prepare an adequate defense.
The judge granted the motion and Pasma's arraignment was rescheduled to August 20th.
Pasma is charged with felony hit and run and faces five years in prison if he's convicted for his possible role in causing Grindley's serious head injuries in November 2009.
The motion by Pasma's defense attorney, Tim Esser, stated that Esser understands the prosecution's story of how Grindley sustained her injuries is that Grindley was in the bed of Pasma's pickup and fell to the ground where she was found and that Pasma was aware of this. Esser wants the prosecution to confirm this is the prosecution's theory.
Esser stated in his motion that he believes the prosecution has dismissed the following theories because of lack of evidence: that Grindley was assaulted and driven to rural Pullman-Albion Road and left at the site, that Grindley was pushed from Pasma's pickup, or that Pasma's pickup hit Grindley.
Pasma was Grindley's boyfriend.
Court documents state Pasma said he had gone four-wheeling at 1:30 a.m. the day of Grindley's injuries. The documents also stated he told Grindley's roommate he was worried she might have jumped in his truck and fallen out, but he never told that to investigators. Court documents also state he admitted to arguing with Grindley that night.
Grindley is recovering in Western Washington with her family, but remembers nothing from that night.
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