Psychiatrist Could Evaluate Suspect in Rape, Extortion Case

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A Centralia man accused of rape and of coercing multiple female juveniles into sending him naked pictures waived his right to a speedy trial Thursday, as his defense attorney discussed hiring a psychiatrist to evaluate how his age at the time of the offenses may have played a role in his alleged misconduct.

Shane O’Rourke, attorney for Dylan Tryon, 18, said it’s common practice to have a medical professional evaluate a suspect in any serious case where the suspect’s young age may be considered a factor.

Tryon was a juvenile when a majority of the alleged offenses took place. He was charged and arrested about three months after he turned 18.

O’Rourke said the state court of appeals has consistently made rulings ordering age, including brain development, be taken into account when an offender is a juvenile, or close to it.

The psychiatrist will likely look into Tryon’s upbringing and different elements of his life with “scientific or medical certainty,” and how those findings might play a role in the case, O’Rourke said.

During the hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday afternoon, with Judge James Lawler presiding, O’Rourke said he and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer would be discussing a possible resolution to the case.

O’Rourke said adult suspects are ineligible for juvenile court, even if the alleged crimes happened when they were under 18. However, if a juvenile is near the age of 18, and the charges are serious enough, they may be bumped up to adult court.

Juvenile cases often result in lighter punishment.

“You’re talking about, sometimes a tenth — if not less — the penalty had you been apprehended in juvenile court,” said O’Rourke.

Tryon is accused of forcing three females into sexual encounters. The Court documents indicate that Tryon forced at least one of the victims to have sex with him multiple times over a span of time.

He’s accused of raping one of the victims and “knowingly (restraining) … another person by knowingly restricting that person’s movements without consent and without legal authority in a manner which interfered substantially with that person’s liberty.”

He’s also accused of demanding juveniles send him naked photos of themselves, accompanied with threats that if they don’t comply, he will release compromising photos of them already in his possession.

He was charged with 13 felonies.

Tryon has been incarcerated in the Lewis County Jail since Oct. 24 on $250,000 bail. He has a hearing to schedule a trial set for May 2.

Immediately following his arrest, the Centralia Police Department released a statement, saying the investigation “was conducted by Centralia Police Detectives and the Centralia School Resource Office” and that it spanned four months.