A Clallam County man sent to state prison last week after a judge declined to grant an agreed mental health sentencing alternative has appealed, and the trial court has already ordered that his appeal proceed at public expense.
James R. Lundstrom filed a notice of appeal on July 28, the same day Judge Brent Basden entered the judgment and sentence in Clallam County Superior Court.
A companion motion filed the same afternoon states one issue Lundstrom intends to raise: that the court "failed to use its discretion when it did not impose a Mental Health Sentencing Alternative."
We reported last week that Judge Basden declined to grant the alternative even though prosecutors and the defense had agreed on it.
Judge Basden imposed 23.25 months on the lead count, the bottom of the 23.25 to 30.75 month standard range the judgment calculates at an offender score of 3, with all confinement terms running concurrently and 18 months of community custody to follow.
The appeal will be paid for by the public
On July 29, the court signed an order of indigency finding that Lundstrom lacks sufficient funds to prosecute an appeal and that the law grants him a right to review at public expense.
The order entitles him to counsel for review wholly at public expense and directs Division II to appoint that counsel.
Support The Olympic Herald
If this story mattered to you, help us report the next one
The Herald has no paywall and no corporate owner. Reader support is what pays for the records requests, court hours, and follow-through that accountability reporting takes.
Become a monthly supporter
Steady, recurring support is what lets us commit to long investigations instead of chasing quick hits. Members get no special perks — just the knowledge that fearless local reporting exists because of them.
$10/mo
or
$100/yr
Become a member
Cancel anytime · Secure checkout via Stripe
Give once with a card
Pick an amount below — secure Stripe checkout takes under a minute.
Want to give a different amount? Choose your own →
Secure checkout via Stripe · No account required
↺ Republish this story
Our stories are free to republish, online or in print, under these rules:
- Credit The Olympic Herald and the author, and link back to this story.
- Don't edit the story except for style, length, or to update time references.
- If you republish online, use our canonical URL so search engines credit the original.
- Don't sell the story or use it primarily to sell advertising.
Questions? Contact us.