Plea hearing delayed for COCC stabbing suspect

A former Central Oregon Community College student accused of stabbing his roommate several times was not in court for a scheduled plea hearing Monday morning as he remains under psychological evaluation at the Oregon State Hospital, his attorney said.

Another status and possible plea hearing for Eric Norgaard was set for Dec. 7 by Deschutes County Circuit Judge Beth Bagley, but defense attorney Timothy Fleming said Norgaard likely won’t be in attendance then, as he will still be at the Salem facility where he’s been for over a year.

Norgaard was 22 when he was arrested shortly after a Halloween night 2014 stabbing of James Briles, 18, at COCC’s Juniper Hall dormitory. He’s accused of attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Fleming said they are still trying to determine whether Norgaard is a danger to himself or others, and he must be in attendance for a plea to be entered.

Recently, an attorney for Briles filed a $3 million negligence lawsuit against COCC, accusing the school of failing to act on his requests to be moved away from his “violent and threatening” roommate.