Assault Charges Are Filed Against Ex-Newport Judge

SPOKANE - A former Pend Oreille County district judge has been charged with assault with sexual motivation after a woman contended he had sex with her at his cabin, the state Attorney General's Office said yesterday.

Former Judge Charles Baechler of Newport, Pend Oreille County, allegedly invited the woman to his cabin at Diamond Lake in 1998 and had sex with her despite her objections, according to court documents.

Fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine, plus other costs.

Baechler was forced out of office last November because of the allegations. The charges were filed in Newport this week, but the case will likely be heard elsewhere, said Lana Martuscelli, assistant attorney general.

"We've agreed with the defense for a transfer to Spokane County," she said. She said the two sides were involved in plea negotiations.

Baechler's attorneys did not immediately return telephone calls.

Pend Oreille County Prosecutor Tom Metzger asked the Attorney General's Office to handle the case because of the numerous conflicts of interest in the town of Newport, which has 1,600 residents.

"One of my deputies rode to work with the judge every day," Metzger said. "We're not involved in this."

According to court documents, the woman was arrested Aug. 20, 1998, for driving under the influence of alcohol and hit and run. She appeared before Baechler in district court the next day for a bail hearing.

She appeared before him again Aug. 25, 1998, for arraignment, and then was handed some papers by the judge indicating her husband wanted a separation.

The woman said Baechler told her to wait in the courtroom until court was over, while he would try to find her a place to live.

After failing to find a place after making phone calls, Baechler told the crying woman he had a cabin on Diamond Lake and she could stay there, court documents said.

Baechler then drove her to the cabin and pulled her into a bedroom, while the woman protested that "this is not right," according to court documents.

Baechler removed his clothing and the woman's clothing, while the woman objected. They had sex, then got dressed and left the cabin, court documents said.

Tests of semen on the woman's underwear indicated Baechler was a possible source, court documents said.