Two arraigned in case of Vancouver man robbed, tied naked to tree

Two Clark County men accused of stripping a Vancouver man and tying him naked to a tree were arraigned this morning.

Markus Lee Bedell, 25, of Washougal and Charles William Sample, 32, of Vancouver, both pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery in front of Skamania County Superior Court Judge Judge Brian Altman.

They both remain in Skamania County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bail.

Court documents allege that the incident started on Aug. 15, when Sample’s wife Patricia and Bedell met Robert Downey, 27, of Vancouver at a restaurant to talk to him about a vehicle and a dog that belonged to the Samples that Downey allegedly stole. They then robbed him and forced him into a vehicle, part of a plan to use “mob-style scare tactics” to make Downey believe they were going to kill him so that they would ultimately get back the vehicle and dog, according to the probable cause affidavit.

They picked up Sample and drove to the upper Washougal River Road area, beat Downey with brass knuckles and made him dig his own grave while pointing a gun at his head, the court document states.

Sample and Bedell then reportedly stripped Downey of his clothes and tied him to a tree, beating him some more before leaving him, according to the affidavit.

Downey then apparently worked his way free and was found by a passing motorist, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office stated.

In the weeks that followed, they arrested Charles Sample and Markus Bedell. Detectives said the investigation was ongoing and that more arrests may come.

A trial for both defendants was scheduled for Oct. 14.