Man convicted of eluding, but not knife assault

A 12-person jury on July 22 found a Cathlamet man guilty of eluding a police officer but not guilty of assaulting another man with a knife.

Cody Ronald James Farnsworth was charged last December with assault in the first degree and attempting to elude a police officer.

Officers and witnesses at the trial said Farnsworth and the victim, Jerome Palmer, were friends and had been drinking with other friends at the Duck Inn in Skamokawa on December 18. Shortly after midnight, they got into a fight as they were leaving, and Farnsworth drew a knife and cut Palmer several times, including partially severing the trachea. Friends separated the men and called an ambulance and law enforcement.

Palmer was evacuated to a Portland hospital for surgery.

Officers followed Farnsworth to the Skyline Golf Course but couldn't locate him in the dark. Farnsworth turned himself in the following day.

During the trial, Farnsworth's attorney argued that Farnsworth feared for his life and used his knife in self defense.

At the end of the trial, jurors found Farnsworth not guilty of either first or second degree assault, but guilty of eluding a police officer.

Judge Michael Sullivan scheduled sentencing for later in August.

In other Wahkiakum Superior Court News:

--Brian L. Arness, 24, was charged with Harassment--Threats to Kill--Domestic Violence. He entered no plea, and arraignment was continued to August 9.

According to the charges, Arness had been drinking and threatened to kill his sister, who jumped through a window to flee the residence.

--The court entered a decree of dissolution of marriage for Charity M. Driscoll, petitioner, and Steven P. Driscoll, Jr., respondent.