Man back in custody after 1978 murder charge dismissed

PORT ANGELES — A Washington man freed after a judge dismissed murder charges against him is back in jail pending an appeal.

The Daily News reports Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour dismissed murder charges against 60-year-old Tommy Ross Jr. last week, saying his right to a speedy trial had been violated.

The judge said Clallam County prosecutors could have prosecuted Ross in 1978.

Instead, Ross was extradited to Canada where he was convicted of killing a Victoria, B.C., woman in 1979.

When Ross was paroled in 2016 after serving 38 years, Washington authorities arrested him for the 1978 slaying of Janet Bowcutt in Port Angeles.

Clallam County prosecutors disagreed with the dismissal and on Tuesday sought an emergency stay with the state appeals court.

A judge then issued an arrest warrant, and Oregon state troopers picked him up Tuesday. He is being held in Clackamas County.

Ross’ attorney, Lane Wolfley, predicts the appeal won’t be successful.