Vancouver man, 19, pleads not guilty to attempted murder

A 19-year-old Vancouver man, who told investigators he believes he shares personality traits with serial killers, pleaded not guilty Friday to two counts of attempted murder.

Zachary Mitchell Budrow entered the pleas during an arraignment hearing in Clark County Superior Court.

Budrow was arrested the morning of May 23 when police found him wielding a knife, standing in the backyard of one of two alleged victims’ homes, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Budrow and the first alleged victim went for a drive from Portland and ended up at McKenzie Stadium in Vancouver. That’s where the woman “exited the vehicle and was followed by Zachary who then stabbed her twice before fleeing,” the affidavit says. He then allegedly headed for the second victim’s home.

Budrow said he was trying to kill the two women, and he had thoughts about killing others, the affidavit says.

Defense attorney Jeff Sowder told Judge Daniel Stahnke that his client is competent, but he has concerns about Budrow’s mental health.

Sowder said the prosecution should expect a request for a mental health evaluation.