Judge Basden Approved Release Despite Alleged Threats to Police. Then Came $100,000 Bail.

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden authorized Elijah F. Jackson’s release without cash bail after police alleged that he threatened officers, backed into a patrol vehicle and led a pursuit with children in his vehicle. 

Four days later, Judge Basden set bail at $100,000, citing the risk of violence in the community. 

The October 20 decision came as prosecutors filed nine charges and submitted expanded police reports, including an account of Jackson allegedly punching a corrections deputy during booking.

At Jackson’s first appearance October 16, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Seth Corley had requested $50,000 bail. Judge Basden instead approved release on personal recognizance. By the second hearing, Corley was asking for $250,000.

The initial decision drew outrage from members of the community on the Clallam County Sheriff’s office Facebook page. 

The court records now show what police had alleged before that release order, what the defense challenged and how the conditions changed.

Allegations already before the court

Forks Officer William Verplank’s first report described more than the confrontation with a rifle that initially brought police to the area October 15.

Verplank alleged that Jackson drove at more than twice the speed limit, disregarded stop signs and forced construction workers to move out of his path. Children were passengers in the vehicle, according to the report.

The officer also alleged that Jackson backed into his patrol vehicle, spat at officers and threatened to find them after getting out of custody, referring to their homes.

Those allegations were in the original probable-cause filing presented before Judge Basden authorized release.

The defense challenged the sufficiency of that account. Defense counsel argued that the report used conclusory language without supporting context and was unclear about who was driving.

Judge Basden approved release subject to conditions prohibiting Jackson from driving, possessing firearms or other deadly weapons, drinking alcohol, using nonprescribed drugs or contacting involved officers outside their official duties.

Jackson was also required to remain in Washington, maintain a specified residence and attend future hearings. The order imposed neither electronic home monitoring nor day reporting.

A more detailed account, then $100,000 bail

The supplemental filing gave a fuller account of the pursuit, the alleged threats and the confrontation at the jail.

Verplank described speeds reaching approximately 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. Four children, ranging from 3 to 10 years old, and three other adults were passengers, according to his report.

The officer wrote that Jackson stopped after a sheriff’s deputy blocked his path near Sol Duc Way and Highway 101, then reversed into Verplank’s patrol vehicle. Verplank reported that he was not injured in the collision.

According to the expanded report, Jackson told Verplank: “I’m going to get you when I get out because I ain’t going to be gone forever.”

Police reported finding a bolt-action Remington rifle in the vehicle’s rear compartment and two rounds of matching ammunition near the driver’s seat.

The nine-count information filed October 20 includes charges of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, third-degree assault, harassment of a criminal justice participant and custodial assault.

The remaining counts allege unlawful display of a weapon, second-degree malicious mischief, resisting arrest, obstructing a law enforcement officer and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. The firearm count cites a prior felony conviction for violating a domestic-violence no-contact order. Prosecutors also filed a special allegation that the pursuit endangered people other than Jackson and the pursuing officer.

At the October 20 hearing, Judge Basden set bail at $100,000.

The alleged assault at the jail

The custodial-assault count concerns Corrections Deputy Alex Hamilton, who reported that Jackson punched him near his left eye during booking October 15.

Hamilton’s account describes a struggle in the jail’s search-and-shower room after Jackson resisted instructions to remove his clothing. Hamilton said Jackson pulled away, turned toward him and later punched him after the two fell. Hamilton reported responding with two punches before restraining Jackson with another deputy’s assistance.

Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Demorest wrote that he photographed redness around Hamilton’s left eye and visible hemorrhaging or redness in the white of the eye. Demorest did not witness the altercation and reported that no jail-camera footage was available because it occurred in the shower room.

Jackson denied striking Hamilton, according to the same report. He alleged that Hamilton punched him after he refused directions to get dressed.

“He gets released?”

Numerous community members questioned Judge Basden’s decision, focusing on the reported danger to children, officers and the public.

“He backed into a patrol vehicle - and he gets released?” Sharla Dewan wrote.

Beth Backus thanked the officers, then asked: “Why is Basden still being allowed to make these crazy dangerous decisions?”

“We need to vote Basden out,” Mike McCracken wrote.

Sheryl Switzer defended the judge: “Judge Basden is a good man. It's easy to pass judgement when you don't know the law, the case or circumstances.”

Brian Priest responded by referring to Judge Basden’s high school years, writing that he “used to be a good man, back in high school.” He then called Basden “a dirt bag, corrupt judge.”

In a follow-up reply, Priest wrote that “good men do the right thing, even when no one is looking.” He added: “He's doing what he's doing, right in front of everyone's face.”

Jackson, 47, is scheduled for arraignment October 23 at 1 p.m. The charges have not been proved, and he is presumed innocent.