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CBCC EFV Stabbing Trial
In the March, 1995, issue of PLN we reported that Todd Hiivala, a prisoner at the Clallam Bay Correction Center (CBCC) in Washington, stabbed his wife Heather several times during an Extended Family Visit (EFV) on January 7, 1995. Hiivala was shot by tower guard Doug Campbell during the stabbing after refusing orders to drop the knife. As a result of Hiivala's incident Governor Mike Lowry ordered a review of the state's EFV program and EFVs were ended for all close custody prisoners and several other categories of prisoners. All metal utensils were removed from EFV facilities. Hiivala decided to stab his wife two days before the legislature opened its 1995 session and after legislation to abolish the EFV program had already been filed.
Hiivala was charged with attempted first degree murder. The trial began in Clallam County Superior Court on August 1, 1995. Heather was attacked when she disclosed she had been unfaithful (probably a good reason these things are best done over the phone or by letter). Heather refused to attend the trial despite prosecutors offering to pay her expenses. Hiivala was acquitted of the first degree attempted murder charge and convicted of second degree attempted murder. Hiivala was sentenced to life in prison without parole as a "three strike" defendant because of his prior criminal record. Hiivala had previously had a 2045 release date. Another CBCC prisoner John Bolton, already serving a sentence of life without parole for murder, is due to be sentenced under the three strikes law for having taken a CBCC counselor hostage.
Peninsula Daily News, August 1 and 4, 1995.
Hiivala was charged with attempted first degree murder. The trial began in Clallam County Superior Court on August 1, 1995. Heather was attacked when she disclosed she had been unfaithful (probably a good reason these things are best done over the phone or by letter). Heather refused to attend the trial despite prosecutors offering to pay her expenses. Hiivala was acquitted of the first degree attempted murder charge and convicted of second degree attempted murder. Hiivala was sentenced to life in prison without parole as a "three strike" defendant because of his prior criminal record. Hiivala had previously had a 2045 release date. Another CBCC prisoner John Bolton, already serving a sentence of life without parole for murder, is due to be sentenced under the three strikes law for having taken a CBCC counselor hostage.
Peninsula Daily News, August 1 and 4, 1995.
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