.png.jpg)
The 71-year-old Centralia man accused of spraying a deputy with a hose made his second court appearance in three days on Wednesday — this time for alleged burglary and assault.
Prosecutors say Michael Rajic twice went back to the home from which he was evicted, following his release from jail Monday. On his second trip, he allegedly brought a baseball bat.
The home is reportedly owned by Rajic’s brother and sister-in-law.
Rajic — who already faces one count of third-degree assault after the alleged garden hose incident — is now charged with single counts of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault and second-degree malicious mischief, all considered domestic violence offenses.
Of the three counts, Rajic faces the greatest potential punishment of life in prison for the burglary charge, which is a strike offense, as is the assault charge. Convictions of such crimes on three separate occasions would result in a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Rajic faces an additional misdemeanor count for resisting arrest.
During a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Wednesday, Pro Tem Commissioner Kathryn Eyraud was tasked with setting bail for the new charges while revisiting Rajic’s previously established conditions of release.
Rajic was released from jail Monday on a $20,000 unsecured bond.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson requested a bail of $250,000 cash or bond for the new charges, arguing that Rajic violated his release conditions by allegedly going back to the property “almost immediately after being released from jail.”
He then went back the following day, allegedly with a bat, Jackson added.
During that visit, according to Jackson, Rajic allegedly assaulted his brother.
As for the earlier case, Jackson asked the court to hold Rajic without bail, as part of a motion to revoke his release conditions.
Jackson said he didn’t believe it was likely that Rajic would follow the court’s orders and added there was a “likely danger to others” that Rajic would commit violent acts.
The prosecutor cited further concern that the defendant would interfere with the administration of justice, noting that Rajic “had to be bitten” by a K9 before he cooperated with police.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller, after asking Rajic to not comment on the allegations, said Rajic did not have the means to post bail, as he received financial assistance.
Tiller said Rajic had explained to her that he had actually gone to the Centralia Police Department to “ask for help for standby.”
“And at that time, he was denied that opportunity,” Tiller said.
Civil standby involves law enforcement accompanying a person to a home to retrieve items. It’s often court-ordered in domestic violence cases.
Rajic’s alleged assault with the garden hose involved the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), not Centralia police.
Sarah McFadden, Rajic’s attorney in that case, said she would need to request a continuance before she could argue against the motion to revoke release conditions.
Rajic’s sister-in-law, appearing in court on behalf of the state, said she did not feel comfortable having Rajic released and requested that he be prohibited from having contact with either her or Rajic’s brother, as well as their Centralia property and home residence.
Eyraud granted the state’s requests for $250,000 in bail on the new charges, as well as the no-bail hold for violating the previously established conditions of release.
“I do have very serious concerns, as to if he is released at this time, that he will again violate court orders,” Eyraud said.
She added later, “These are very violent offenses that are being charged.”
Eyraud also granted the state’s request for no-contact orders on behalf of Rajic’s brother and sister-in-law, along with an order for Rajic to surrender any firearms within his possession.
Near the end of the hearing, Rajic said his brother and sister-in-law “need to go to jail.”
“They tried to destroy my life,” Rajic said. “They tried to make me into a homeless person.”
McFadden responded, telling Rajic to talk to her about that on the phone.
“I wanted to make sure that they heard it,” Rajic said.
According to the latest probable cause affidavit, Centralia police responded to a reported burglary at the Girard Street home on Tuesday, April 21.
“When officers arrived, they observed Michael Rajic actively breaking windows, and he had torn off the screen door to the residence,” the affidavit says. “Michael Rajic was forcing the bat through a doorway as the officers approached.”
After refusing orders to drop the bat, Rajic reportedly complied when threatened with a Taser.
LCSO Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase had already used a Taser on Rajic during last week’s eviction, after Rajic allegedly sprayed another deputy with a water hose.
Despite dropping the bat, Rajic allegedly walked away and ignored other commands.
Officers then deployed K9 Hector, who “engaged Rajic by biting his arm to gain compliance,” according to the affidavit.
“Rajic fell to the ground and struggled with officers until they were able to place him in handcuffs,” the affidavit says.
Rajic’s sister-in-law reportedly told police that Rajic “had arrived at the residence holding a baseball bat and demanded entry to retrieve items,” according to the affidavit.
After being denied entry through the front door, Rajic allegedly broke a window at the back of the residence.
“When he broke the window, he reached inside the residence and attempted to open the door,” the affidavit says.
At some point, Rajic allegedly hit his brother in the arm with the bat, damaging his Apple Watch.
The sister-in-law told police she believed Rajic had come to the property the night before following his release from jail.
According to the affidavit, one officer recalled that Rajic had asked police for a civil standby “right before this incident,” saying “all charges had been dropped.”
“He was told he would need to get something from the court indicating he could go to the property,” the affidavit says.
Rajic was scheduled to appear for arraignments in both cases on Thursday, April 23.
