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VICTIM ALSO STABBED
Pe Ell crossbow shooting suspect: 'I just wanted to scare him'

The Pe Ell man accused of trying to kill a man he knew with a crossbow made his first appearance in court Monday, his family in the audience.

Court documents allege that Lehman Neil Delavergne sat in wait at the home of his 62-year-old victim last Wednesday in the 100 block of Katula Road, shot him in the neck with a crossbow bolt and stabbed him several times in the abdomen, face, hands and chest.

Delavergne’s wife, Sophea, told officers the two were having marital problems and that Delavergne was angry because she was staying at the victim’s house, according to the documents.

Police couldn’t track him down until Friday, when Delavergne’s grandfather Vernon Delavergne told him to turn himself in, according to police reports.

The grandfather was in the courtroom Monday to keep a close eye on the case. He said he couldn’t believe what he’d heard about his grandson, though he said there was heavy drug use in the family and said both of Lehman Delavergne’s parents are already in jail.

"When he walked in late one night, he told me he was in trouble," Vernon Delavergne said. "I told him the only way out of it to keep from getting shot is to turn yourself in."

Lehman Delavergne told officers he’d been lying in the woods for the two days leading up to the arrest, according to court documents. Vernon Delavergne said his grandson was shaken up when he walked in the room, and had been complaining about an injured finger from a knife wound.

After the arrest, Lehman Delavergne told officers, "I’m sorry I’m coming down right now so I don’t wanna answer any questions," according to the court documents.

He added, "I never meant to hurt him. I just wanted to scare him. I never meant to hurt the guy."

If convicted of attempted murder, Delavergne faces life in prison and a $50,000 fine. Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler set bail at $1 million, saying he was concerned that Delavergne was a flight risk and could compromise the safety of the public.

Deputy Prosecutor Collin Hayes said Delavergne has a collection of convictions under his belt, including assault, malicious mischief, bail jumping, multiple counts of domestic violence, failure to appear, drug possession and burglary.

"The state cannot picture any greater risk to the community than that posed by Mister Delavergne," Hayes said in court.

Delavergne’s next court date is scheduled for Wednesday.