The 35-year-old alleged “Antifa” shooter from Olympia was described by authorities as “destructive of property” during his arraignment at Thurston County Superior Court on Tue., Oct. 5.
A Thurston County deputy said Benjamin Anthony Varela, who was charged with shooting a “Proud Boy” supporter during a Sept. 4 clash between the two groups, had been “causing disruption to the entire jail.”
“He popped a sprinkler head,” the deputy said. “When we came to get him, to pull him out and get him changed out, he failed to comply to the point where we had to form a special unit to extract him from the cell because he was failing to comply with directives.”
The deputy said Varela has been placed in a special cell with no access to a sprinkler head and other materials that could possibly be used to fashion weapons.
Attorney Ahmed Jenkins from the Thurston County Public Defense’s felony unit said Varela was placed in a turtle suit and was “talking to walls” and “thought that he was in an escape room, thought that part of the game was for him to escape.”
The deputy also noted that Varela repeatedly threatened staff by banging or punching his door.
Jenkins said Varela started receiving the correct medication on Sept. 30.
Judge Sharonda Amamilo granted the state’s request for the defendant to be restrained but added that Varela appeared to be “clearly benefitting” from his medication.
Varela, described by police as a claims adjudicator, was charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment in connection with the shooting of 25-year-old Battle Ground, WA resident Tusitala Toese, a protester associated with the Proud Boys.
Varela’s trial has been scheduled for Nov. 29 at 8:30 a.m.
1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
ejpoleii
Interesting case. I have no truck with either party but, if one is being pursued by a gang of people, does not one have the right of self-defense?
Friday, October 8, 2021 Report this