Competency Evaluation Delays Arraignment for Suspect in Alleged Neighbor Attack
The legal proceedings for Joseph “Wes” Beeman, the 46-year-old Port Angeles man accused of an attack on his elderly neighbor, remain on hold as the court awaits a competency evaluation report.
Beeman was arrested following an allegedly unprovoked assault on his 71-year-old next-door neighbor, Robert Graul.
The incident was thwarted by State Senator Mike Chapman, who witnessed the altercation and physically shielded Graul from further harm.
Since his initial court appearance on April 1—where he was entirely non-responsive—Beeman has remained in custody while undergoing a court-ordered competency evaluation.
Timeline
On April 17, 2026, appearing before Judge Elizabeth Stanley, the court signed an agreed order for competency restoration. During this hearing, Beeman declined to sign a firearms order.
The case returned to Judge Stanley for a competency review on May 22, 2026. At that time, the State informed the court that the standard 45-day restoration period was not yet complete, pausing the legal process until the evaluation center’s next review.
Most recently, during a motion hearing before Judge Brent Basden on June 5, 2026, the State confirmed that the finalized competency report was forthcoming.
Judge Basden set the next competency review hearing for June 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
The findings of the pending report may determine whether Beeman is deemed legally fit to finally face arraignment and enter a plea, or if he requires further institutional restoration before the justice system can proceed.