Man to get competency exam before trial in motorcyclist’s death

Published 10:48 pm Thursday, October 23, 2008

A Snohomish man has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation at Western State Hospital to determine if he is competent to stand trial in the death of a Snohomish motorcyclist.

Donald Logan Graves, 63, was charged with vehicular homicide earlier this month in Snohomish County Superior Court. He is accused of causing a crash that killed Benjamin Salzano Jr. on Highway 92 in July.

Salzano, 25, was on his motorcycle, headed to the grocery store, when Graves made an illegal turn in front of him, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Ed Stemler wrote in court documents.

Salzano was unable to avoid crashing into Graves’ pickup truck. He died at the scene of the crash.

Superior Court Judge Ellen Fair on Wednesday ordered Graves to have a 15-day evaluation at the request of his attorney, Guss Markwell.