Washougal stabbing suspect appears in court

A woman suspected of stabbing a man in Washougal appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Friday for an arraignment hearing.

Virginia Rose Brandt, 23, has been charged with second-degree assault in connection with the stabbing.

Prosecutors allege that on Jan. 9 Brandt was at her boyfriend’s house on M Street in Washougal with some acquaintances. Police believe she was living there at the time.

Brandt told one of the visitors, Timothy Nielson, 31, that she wanted him to leave the house and threatened to stab him, according to documents filed in Superior Court. Nielson, who allegedly was intoxicated, said ‘go ahead,’ and Brandt stabbed him in the abdomen with a pocket knife, the documents said.

Christopher Mason, who was at the house at the time of the incident, drove Nielson to the Camas-Washougal Fire Station, 1400 A. St., at about 2:30 a.m. to get some help. Nielson was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to repair his intestine.

Police didn’t find Brandt when they got to the house in Washougal. When they returned to the residence three days later to arrest her, she assaulted an officer, according to court documents.

Washougal police also determined that Brandt, who had been ordered by the court to avoid contact with her boyfriend, was violating the no-contact order by being at his house. She was booked into jail on suspicion of a domestic violence court order violation, third-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Her bail has been set at $80,000.

Brandt told officers that she is unemployed and struggling with a drug problem, according to court documents.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 11. Brandt is supposed to undergo a mental health evaluation while in jail to determine her competency.

Brandt has a history of resisting arrest, violating no-contact orders and assault convictions, according to court documents.