A Clark County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that a 48-year-old Vancouver man, accused of plotting to kidnap his ex-wife possibly with intent to kill her, is competent to stand trial on the charges.
Stanley A. Gebarowski of Vancouver is scheduled to go to trial on the charges June 12. He also will be tried on charges that he assaulted his brother with a knife in 2011.
Judge John Nichols based his decision on a competency evaluation by Western State Hospital in which a doctor found that Gebarowski is able to help in his defense, which is the threshold for declaring a defendant competent.
Defense attorney Neil Anderson did not object to the report.
Gebarowski was arrested in January after witnesses reported that he had made statements that he wanted a shotgun to kill his ex-wife, Sherri L. Montgomery, 48, of Vancouver, according to charging papers.
He allegedly stated, “I want the (expletive) gone.”
He has pleaded not guilty to criminal solicitation to commit kidnapping and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
He also has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he attacked his brother in 2011 with a kitchen knife,
cutting his brother’s right arm.
Judge Barbara Johnson ordered on Jan. 25 that Gebarowski be held without bail, pending the competency evaluation.
Court documents state that Gebarowski offered money and goods to Alvin H.E. Nudson to kidnap his ex-wife and bring her to him. He also asked Nudson to buy a shotgun for him and stated he wanted his ex-wife dead, according to court documents.
Montgomery told police that Gebarowski approached at least one other person about buying a shotgun to kill her and her family, charging papers said.
Another witness, who asked to be anonymous, told police that he saw Gebarowski with two shotgun shells, the documents stated.
