Bend man pleads not guilty to attempted murder in baseball-bat attack on roommate; judge sets Jan. 8 trial date
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend man pleaded not guilty Friday to attempted murder and other charges in last month’s baseball-bat attack on his roommate, having failed to convince a grand jury in a rare in-person appearance that he should not be indicted because he acted in self-defense.
Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alycia Sykora set a Jan. 8 trial date for Timothy John Boyd, 66, who also faces charges of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon in the August 18th attack that critically injured Stephen Jay Steria, 58, at the home they shared on Southwest Arrow Wood Drive.
After his arrest, Boyd’s lawyer, Evander McIver, filed a petition to let his client appear in person before the grand jury chosen to weigh the evidence and decide whether there was enough evidence to file formal charges.
Prosecutors had objected to the requested in-person grand jury appearance, citing safety concerns, but the judge agreed to allow it.
McIver has filed a motion to quash the indictment, claiming Boyd’s visible restraints and the presence of deputies guarding him prejudiced the grand jury against his client. A hearing on that motion is set for next Wednesday.
