Charge filed in Grindley case

A charge of failure to report an injury accident was filed last Thursday, July 1, in Whitman County superior court against Richard Pasma, 25, former live-in boyfriend of Kristen Grindley. Grindley was found severely injured on the Albion Road in the early morning hours of Nov. 11.

The filing by Prosecutor Denis Tracy was preceded by an official announcement and news conference by Sheriff Brett Myers in the courtyard outside the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Myers said they felt the investigation of the Grindley case had advanced to the point where a charge should be filed. Myers said they believe the suspect and Pasma were the only two witnesses at the scene, and he acknowledged that neither one has provided an account of what happened.

He said Grindley, who underwent lengthy hospitalization and treatment after she was discovered in a pool of blood, still has no recollection of the events of that morning. Grindley sustained a scapular fracture and had abrasions on her torso, arms and legs, according to an investigation report by Deputy Sgt. Chris Chapman which was filed with the charge. She was found without a coat or shoes.

The suspect, Pasma, cooperated with deputies at the start of the investigation, but later declined to be questioned on the advice of his attorney, the report states.

Grindley was discovered on the Albion-Pullman Road about a mile west of Highway 27. Chapman’s report said a passerby on the road called 911 between 1:38 and 1:41 that morning after discovering Grindley in the road.

The investigation report included results of an interview with Caitlin Wilgocki, who reportedly was staying with Grindley in a house on NE Illinois Street in Pullman. Grindley and Wilgocki were in the house that morning, and Grindley expected Pasma to arrive. Grindley asked Wilgocki to go to a lower level of the house when Pasma arrived so she and Pasma could have a private talk. Wilgocki told the officer she went to the lower level of the house and heard what sounded like Pasma’s truck arrive outside.

Chapman’s account said cell phone records at 1:27 that morning indicate Grindley had an 11-second call with Pasma.

The report said Pasma in the early part of the investigation told deputies he had gone to the house and talked with Grindley. He also told deputies they had an argument and he locked the doors on this truck so Grindley could not get inside. Pasma then told deputies he drove the truck to Albion area to go “mudding.”

Pasma also told officers he saw emergency vehicles on the Albion Road when he drove back to Pullman from the Albion area. His account has been verified by cameras in Pullman patrol cars which showed Pasma’s truck driving past the site where Gindley was discovered.

Grindley was taken to Pullman Regional Hospital and then to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane where she underwent extensive treatment.

The report said Pasma returned to the Illinois Street house and told Wilgocki he did not know where Grindley was. She said they went looking for Grindley and during their search Pasma repeatedly told her he feared Grindley had jumped into the back of his truck and then fallen out.

They called police in an attempt to locate Grindley, but at that time Pullman police did not know the identity of the woman who had been brought to the hospital.

Pasma has been summoned to make a first appearance in court July 22. Sheriff Myers at his news conference said he didn’t anticipate Pasma would be required to post a bond for pre-trial release from jail pending resolution of the case.

Pullman Attorney Timothy Esser Friday filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Pasma.

Grindley underwent extended treatment before returning to her home at Woodinville. She had completed undergraduate studies at WSU before she was injured.