Defendant who shot him waives right to preliminary hearing, remains in custody

By Maggie Rhoads, Adrianna Bhan – June 6, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-lethal shot | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A shooting defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Washington Superior Court Judge Renée Raymond on June 6.

Koby Ham, 25, is charged with endangerment with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in an unrelated shooting. deadly. The incident occurred June 2 in the 1300 block of Savannah Street, SE.

Prosecutors released surveillance footage of the incident, which showed two individuals, one identified as Ham, shooting ten times at a blue truck, occupied by two individuals. No injuries were reported, but the truck was damaged by five gunshots.

According to the prosecutor, at the time of his arrest, Ham was in possession of two firearms.

During the hearing, Charles Haskell, Ham's defense attorney, alerted Judge Raymond that he had waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Haskell requested that Ham be returned to his mother, saying “he's never been in trouble in his life.”

Haskell also emphasized that his client had no history of violence and that being in prison was an “eye-opening experience.”

His lawyer asked that Ham be released under GPS monitoring, pointing to his mother and sister who were present in court, and said they were ready to help him.

The prosecution argued that the nature and circumstances of the shooting prove Ham poses a threat to the community. They said the shooting was a “random act of violence” and that Ham should not be released.

Judge Raymond rejected the application saying she “agrees with the prosecution” and that there are “no conditions or combination of conditions”. [she] can command, which satisfies the safety of the community.

Judge Raymond said it was “fortuitous” that no one in the vehicle was injured or killed in the shooting and found the likely reason he shot the victims.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 27 before Washington Superior Court Judge Arthur Errol.

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