A former Vancouver man allegedly involved in an assault that left another man in a coma made a first appearance Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court.
Rodney T. Franck, 22, of Ocean Park appeared on suspicion of first-degree assault in connection with the April 23 attack at a Hough neighborhood intersection. The victim, then 54-year-old Chris Brewster, has been in a coma since, the prosecution said.
Brewster’s daughter, Lela Brewster, in a May interview with The Columbian, said her dad often went to the Tip Top Tavern, 2100 Main St., where he played ping-pong. She thinks he had gone there the night of the attack, and said she thinks her father only had one beer, based on his alcohol level detected at the hospital.
According to a probable cause affidavit, witnesses near West 21st and Columbia streets called 911 at about 11:20 p.m. after observing two men kicking another man who was lying in the street.
Vancouver police responded to the area but the suspects had already fled the scene. Police later detained the men nearby, based on their descriptions given by witnesses, the affidavit said.
However, police were unable to develop probable cause to arrest them at that time. Franck is the only suspect identified by name in court records.
Franck denied having any involvement in the assault. Police said Franck had bruising and cuts to his right eye that indicted he had been in a physical altercation, so they took his photo, court records said.
Franck was subsequently booked into the Clark County Jail on an unrelated crime. While in custody, detectives obtained a search warrant for his clothing worn the night of April 23. Testing showed blood stains found on his clothing matched Brewster’s DNA, according to court documents.
On Sept. 22, while in custody on District Court warrants, detectives again questioned Franck about the assault, but he said he didn’t remember much because he had been drinking. He said he didn’t recognize Brewster and then requested an attorney, the affidavit said.
Court records show Franck allegedly made incriminating statements while making calls from the jail, which led detectives to believe he was involved in the assault.
During Franck’s hearing, Judge David Gregerson set his bail at $75,000. Franck will be arraigned Jan. 20.
