Lewis County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Randle man Wednesday morning after he allegedly strangled his ex-girlfriend and threatened to kill her.
Kurt R. Killian Sr., 62, is charged with one count each of second-degree assault and felony harassment, both considered domestic violence offenses. Second-degree assault is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Felony harassment is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Killian made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson requested a bail of $100,000, saying Killian has a “pretty extensive criminal history” related to domestic violence.
“We believe the victim and the public are endangered by him if he is not held,” Jackson said.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for no more than $25,000 in bail, noting Killian’s most recent conviction occurred about eight years ago. She said Killian lives locally and receives financial assistance.
Jackson responded that Killian had spent “quite a bit of time” in prison, saying he believed Killian was last released in 2022.
“This is some of the most extensive domestic violence history I’ve ever seen,” Judge Joely Yeager said, referring to the defendant’s case history. She added Killian posed a “huge risk to community safety,” as well as a risk of lethality to the victim.
The judge set bail at $100,000 cash or bond and granted the state’s request for a domestic violence no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim, as well as an order for Killian to surrender any weapons within his possession.
According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies responded to the 1100 block of Silverbrook Road in Randle on Wednesday after a woman reported her ex had “tried to choke her out.”
A deputy arrived and spoke with Killian, who was at the property and said he’d just returned. Killian then said he’d been hit with a bat and showed the deputy a small mark on his hand.
According to the deputy, the mark looked like it was scabbed.
The deputy spoke with the woman, who said she’d been sleeping in her RV when Killian “came down and asked her where she had been and who she was with,” according to the affidavit.
The woman said Killian “snapped” and put both of his hands around her neck. She told police she didn’t lose consciousness during the assault, but said she’d been unable to breathe.
According to the affidavit, Killian allegedly threatened the woman’s life during the incident. She said they’d dated for two months and she’d been “trying to break up over the last two weeks.”
The deputy spoke with Killian again, who allegedly said his conversation with the woman was about “normal stuff that couples would talk about,” according to the affidavit.
Killian allegedly denied putting his hands on the woman and said there’d been no disagreement.
Deputies booked him into the Lewis County Jail at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.
According to court documents, Killian has been issued 27 warrants for his arrest in past cases. His criminal history includes convictions for violating no-contact orders, felony harassment, malicious mischief and theft, among other offenses.
Killian is scheduled for an arraignment on Oct. 8.
