February court date set in assault case

DAYTON–A Columbia County resident charged with second-degree assault with deadly weapon, harassment and third-degree malicious mischief has pleaded not guilty and a February 7 pre-trial hearing date has been set in Columbia County Superior Court. Michelle R. Shoun, 53, of 101 Cold Springs Lane, Dayton, was charged following an October 26 incident when Shoun allegedly assaulted 30-year-old Danielle M. Kelly of Dayton.

Shoun is represented by Patricia A. Fulton of Walla Walla, who requested and was granted a continuance at a December 20 hearing before Superior Court Judge Brooke J. Burns. Following an investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Shoun was arrested and lodged in Walla Walla County Jail on October 26. She was released after posting $25,000 bond on October 27 and was arraigned on November 8 in response to charges detailed in a November 1 summons by the Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

The alleged charges stem from an approximately one- to one-and-a-half hour incident on October 26 at Kelly's resident on South Willow Street where Shoun confronted Kelly regarding a relationship involving Kelly and Steven A. Shoun, according to court records.

Michelle Shoun allegedly assaulted Kelly, damaged Kelly's property, and made threats, during a phone call to Kelly and at Kelly's residence the same day.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennine Christensen is leading the prosecution team.

The charge of assault in the second degree with a deadly weapon is a Class B felony, with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine. The harassment charge is a Class C felony, punishable by a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine. The third count, third-degree malicious mischief, is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by 364 days and a $5,000 fine.