The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Security at the Courthouse will be high as Altoona resident Sam Valdez’s trial begins next Tuesday, February 16.

All the exterior doors, except for the one near the Superior Court Office will be locked for the duration of the trial, which could last as long as two to three weeks, according to Sheriff Mark Howie.

Everyone entering the building will be required to go through a security check, including employees.

"There will be 40 jurors the first day,” Howie said. “Hopefully they will be able to narrow them down to a pool of 14 that day so it won’t be as chaotic when they return on Wednesday to start the trial.”

District Court will be held as scheduled on Wednesday and for two days next week, but will be moved to the third floor, Howie said.

“We’re just going to keep it simple and funnel everyone through the same place,” Howie said. “We’ve got a lot of people jumping in and helping out. I foresee it working pretty smoothly.”

Judge Stephen Warning, a Superior Judge for Cowlitz County will be presiding at the Valdez trial.

Sue Baur will be the lead prosecutor.

Valdez has been charged with solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, delivery of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver marijuana and arson in the first degree.

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force had been investigating Valdez for manufacturing hash oil last year when an informant told officers that Valdez was plotting to hire someone to murder his ex-wife. The informant also said that Valdez had a hit list that included Superior Court Judge Michael Sullivan and District Court Judge Bill Faubion.