EVERETT — An Everett man accused of beating a jail guard unconscious in December 2016 has had his case dismissed.
Ammar Kasim Al-Rubaie, 29, was considered too mentally ill to participate in his own defense, according to a judge’s order filed Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court.
A medical report indicated that after two 90-day stays at Western State Hospital, and various combinations of medications, he continued to exhibit symptoms of delusions, disorganized thinking, probable hallucinations and poor insight and judgment.
A doctor wrote that Al-Rubaie was unlikely to get better.
“Mr. Al-Rubaie has likely received maximum benefit from competency restoration treatment and possible medication changes are limited,” a medical report stated.
Under state statute, the court was required to dismiss his case. However, bringing him to trial is still an option, if one day he is deemed able to take part in the proceedings.
In the meantime, Al-Rubaie was referred for a mental health evaluation, with the possibility of being admitted for involuntary treatment.
He was a maximum security inmate at the Snohomish County Jail on Dec. 23, 2016, when he attacked corrections deputy Samuel Chen.
Security footage captured much of the incident. In it, the two were seen talking briefly around 4:30 a.m., before Al-Rubaie allegedly punched Chen in the face. A struggle ensued. Chen, who weighed 70 pounds less than Al-Rubaie, grappled with his alleged assailant, reportedly taking several more punches in the process.
Then, Al-Rubaie allegedly “bear-hugged” Chen, lifted him off his feet and hurled him to the ground, smashing his head into a steel stool bolted to the floor, knocking him unconscious.
When Chen tried to recover a few moments later, Al-Rubaie stomped on the back of his head, again knocking him unconscious, according to court papers.
Other deputies moved in and restrained Al-Rubaie. Chen didn’t move again until more than two minutes had passed and he was receiving first aid. He suffered multiple facial fractures and a concussion, according to court papers.
Al-Rubaie had been booked for an assault charge involving a different officer. In that encounter, he had allegedly fought with Lynnwood police and managed to pull an officer’s knife out of its sheath.
The jail attack took place just hours before a hearing to consider dismissing charges for the Lynnwood incident.
Now, both cases have been dismissed.
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
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