Guemes man goes to trial for attempted murder Posted by Kimberly Jacobson | Apr 18, 2012 | 519 views

Closing arguments are expected later this week in the trial of a 55-year-old Guemes Island man charged in Skagit County Superior Court with attempted murder. The trial began April 11.

Charles Feld was found competent to stand trial during a hearing last month. He’s been committed to a mental health facility several times and has refused to cooperate with lawyers and his doctors, court records state.

Feld is charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault, arson, unlawful possession of a firearm and felony harassment.

The case has gone on more than two years.

Court documents say an April 2, 2010 confrontation escalated over a dispute about a rototiller Feld had rented from his neighbor. Feld allegedly threw a mixture of gasoline and chemicals on the man and a friend and threatened to light them on fire. He then fired several rounds from a pistol but hit no one.

While the two men were being treated, authorities received a report of a fire at his neighbor’s home. It was destroyed.

Feld turned himself in to deputies the next morning.

After his arrest, Feld was diagnosed with an unspecified psychotic disorder by a psychologist at Western State Hospital.