Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

Former Tri-Cities Fever lineman makes court appearance in restraints

Kristin M. Kraemer, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- Franklin County prosecutors must decide by this morning how to charge a former Tri-Cities Fever lineman for a jail scuffle in which a corrections officer reportedly had a fingertip bitten off.

Michael Rayfield Hodges, 25, made his first court appearance Wednesday since he allegedly bit the officer and punched another in the face.

The 6-foot, 270-pound football player was strapped into a restraint chair and wheeled behind the defense table, where he was surrounded by four jail officers, a sheriff's deputy and two bailiffs.

Jail Capt. Rick Long said Hodges was placed in the special chair because of his volatile behavior in the last week.

"He is under the care of our medical staff, and at this time they are able to keep him somewhat sedated with medication," Long said.

The restraint chair "was an insurance. It wasn't hurting him, and it works as safety for us in the court."

A psychologist from Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake examined Hodges' mental condition in jail Monday. Jail officials and prosecutors have not received the report yet but have asked that Hodges be sent to the state facility for further mental health treatment.

Wednesday, Hodges was lucid and occasionally talkative during the hearing, even noting for Superior Court Judge Robert Swisher that "my name is Mike, not Michael."

As Hodges was being pushed out of the courtroom he turned to his mother in the audience and mouthed "I love you," then started to cry.

Swisher found probable cause to hold Hodges on allegations of second- and third-degree assault for the Nov. 7 incident in the Franklin County jail.

Swisher agreed with Deputy Prosecutor Brian Hultgrenn's recommendation to set bail at $40,000.

Hodges, of California, played parts of four seasons for the Fever including eight games this year. He said he didn't understand why the bail is "that high."

Swisher explained that it's based on the nature of the allegations and said Hodges' court-appointed attorney, Bob Thompson, can re-address it at the next hearing.

Hodges already is being held on $5,000 bail on a third-degree assault charge for allegedly hitting the shoulder of a federal security officer Nov. 3 as he forced his way into the secured boarding area of the Tri-Cities Airport.

Hodges allegedly pushed his way past Transportation Security Administration screeners -- hitting the female agent in the process -- and ignored repeated orders to stop from a Port of Police officer and a sheriff's deputy. A Taser had no effect on him and ultimately he ran through the terminal and broke a window with his hand and shoulder before going onto the tarmac just as a plane was getting ready to leave, court documents said.

Hodges was being held in isolation in the jail's medical area when his father came for a visit last week. He was being returned to his cell, after getting upset during the visit, when he reportedly became agitated and started fighting with corrections officers.

According to jail officials and court documents, Hodges bit off the end of Sgt. Arnold Boothe's left ring finger and shoved him against a door, where Boothe's head shattered a piece of glass. Then Hodges allegedly punched Officer Lindy Noethe three times in the face with a fist and knocked her down.

It took about seven officers to subdue Hodges after pepper spray didn't work and the shock from a Taser had no results.

Noethe returned to work this week after getting medical clearance, while Boothe is recovering from his injuries at home.

Hodges is scheduled to return to court Tuesday.