Hermanns To Go On Trial June 7

WALLA WALLA - Cuffed and shackled in front of Walla Walla Superior Court Judge Donald Schacht on Monday, Waitsburg resident Adam Hermanns pleaded not guilty to five counts of criminal charges and now faces trial in early June.

Hermanns, who had a short beard and short hair, seemed calm as the judge read his charges and audibly entered his plea without hesitation with his court-appointed defense attorney standing alongside him.

An omnibus hearing on Hermanns' case, which may be combined with that of fellow suspect Antonio Contreras of Walla Walla, is set for May 27, followed by a pretrial hearing on June 2 and the full trial on Tuesday, June 7, and Wednesday, June 8.

An omnibus hearing is a pretrial hearing attended by the prosecutor and the defense counsel to determine the admissibility of evidence, including testimony and evidence seized at the time of arrest.

Hermanns, who could face years in prison if convicted, has been charged with robbery and burglary, assault and kidnapping. His bail has been set at $250,000.

Shortly after 3 pm, Hermanns appeared in Schacht's courtroom along with nine other inmates transferred from Walla Walla County Jail for other cases. Wearing the dark and light gray stripes, they were seated in the jury box, waiting to be called.

When it was Hermanns' turn, he walked over to the defendant's table and sat down quietly as the judge went over his charges.

After Hermanns entered his plea, his defense attorney, Julie Brown, told the judge that she might file a motion for investigative funds, which would make a county investigator available to accompany her on discovery interviews with witnesses, including fellow inmate and suspect Contreras.

Asked if he had any questions regarding the charges or proceedings, Hermanns answered "No, Your Honor."

Hermanns, who was charged mid-April with three felonies that alledgedly took place in January, was implicated in April in five additional felony cases reported this spring in College Place.

It's not clear, if convicted, how long Hermanns would be sentenced to serve. However, a mixture of his previous convictions, which included felonies, and the severity of his new offenses if convicted, would send him to prison for many years, based on complex state sentencing guidelines.

Court documents allege that Hermanns, armed with a handgun at his waistband, and Contreras, brandishing a knife, robbed a resident on Fourth Street in College Place on the night of April 3.

Further investigation by College Place police revealed testimony from Contreras that Hermanns allegedly admitted to committing a burglary on Puff Lane just days prior to the Fourth Street incident.

According to the police report, Hermanns is suspected of wearing a ski mask and arming himself with a knife, then entering the apartment of Walla Walla Union Bulletin reporter Andy Porter on the night of March 29.