A 37-year-old mother and her 20-year-old son face identical charges after they were accused of entering another person’s home and assaulting one of its residents.
Kelley L. Gibbs and Evan T. Gibbs were each charged with first-degree burglary; fourth-degree assault, domestic violence; and third-degree malicious mischief, domestic violence.
The first-degree burglary charge carries the greatest potential penalty of up to life in prison and $50,000 in fines. The other counts are considered gross misdemeanors punishable by up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.
The Gibbses made their separate preliminary appearances in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, Centralia police responded to the initial burglary complaint on Tuesday, where they learned the Gibbes had “burst into the home” of Kelley Gibbs’ brother and another man.
“Upon entry, an argument ensued and both Gibbs were ordered to leave,” the affidavit stated.
The mother and son apparently refused, and a “physical struggle ensued.”
According to the affidavit, Both Kelley and Evan Gibbs assaulted the other male resident, whose shirt was reportedly damaged during the altercation.
At some point, a neighbor allegedly “intervened to stop the assault.”
The affidavit does not explicitly state how the altercation ended.
During the preliminary hearing, Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Halstead asked for a bail amount of $50,000 for both of the Gibbses, and alluded to additional information not found in the charging documents.
Halstead indicated that multiple victims were allegedly assaulted inside the home — and one of those was said to be pregnant.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for either unsecured bail or else no more than $10,000, and noted that neither Gibbs had felony convictions.
Tiller added that Kelley Gibbs was quite frustrated with the charges and had “a lot of very good important information to relay to Mr. Blair regarding this case.”
Don Blair is representing Kelley Gibbs for future court dates. Evan Gibbs will be represented by Chris Baum.
According to court documents, Kelley Gibbs has a pending animal cruelty case in Winlock Municipal Court and past convictions for disorderly conduct; fourth-degree assault, domestic violence; violation of a harassment order and third-degree driving with a suspended license.
Evan Gibbs, on the other hand, has a sole disorderly conduct conviction.
Judge Paul Strophy acknowledged the collective lack of felony convictions but expressed concern for community safety given the allegations and set bail at $25,000 for both defendants.
Strophy entered a protection order on behalf of the victim named in the probable cause affidavit and ordered the mother and son not to have contact with each other while the case is pending.
Both defendants were ordered to surrender any firearms.
Arraignments were scheduled for Oct. 30.
