Judge James W. Lawler presides over a Lewis County Superior Court hearing in August.
A Chehalis man behind bars for allegedly taking an officer’s knife during a fight has snagged another felony charge after allegedly punching a corrections deputy in the arm and then kicking him in the face during a routine cell check.
Matthew E. Eastman, 34, was charged on Wednesday with third-degree assault. He has a review hearing scheduled for Sept. 6, and is being held without bail.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Tuesday, Lewis County Jail staff was conducting a routine search of Eastman’s cell. At some point during the search, Eastman “swung his fist in a downward motion and struck (Dep. David Albright’s) left forearm.”
A second deputy, whose full name is not used in court documents, grabbed Eastman’s arms. Eastman allegedly began to flail his legs, and Albright moved in to secure his legs. Eastman then allegedly kicked Albright in the face, causing a “slight scratch to his chin.”
Eastman was set to appear in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing regarding the alleged assault. Judge Joely O’Rourke, however, said he was “refusing to come up” to the courtroom.
She ruled that he would continue to be held without bond and slated for him to appear the next day.
When that day came, Judge James Lawler said he had signed an order for an evaluation, and court documents indicate the order was sent to Western State Hospital.
Eastman has been an inmate in the Lewis County Jail since March 28. That was the day he allegedly got into a struggle with a Centralia police officer at the Centralia Amtrak Station. Eastman had active warrants for his arrest at the time, and “a struggle and short chase ensued” between Eastman and Officer Doug Lowrey.
During the struggle, Eastman allegedly pulled a knife from Lowrey’s vest. He stood about two feet away from the officer, and said: “I’m going to (expletive) kill you,” according to court documents.
Lowrey drew his gun, and Eastman dropped the knife.
He was subsequently charged with second-degree assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, harassment — threat to kill and misdemeanor harassment. He was placed on a $75,000 bail.
