Assault suspect faces new charges

An assault suspect who is defending himself against an array of charges appeared Wednesday in Douglas County Circuit Court to face even more charges he’s racked up while in jail.

Karl Paul Volosin, 27, of Green, who is accused of assaulting a man last July and later trying to keep the victim from testifying, is now additionally accused of assaulting and harassing a fellow Douglas County Jail inmate in March. In a separate incident last month, Volosin is also accused of criminal mischief and being an inmate in possession of a weapon.

On Wednesday, three deputies ushered Volosin, hands cuffed to a chain around his waist and feet shackled, into Judge George Ambrosini’s courtroom.

Volosin sat by himself at the defendant’s table, having refused his right to a defense attorney’s aid during a lengthy hearing May 22 in which Ambrosini repeatedly warned the man of the risks involved in representing himself.

Ambrosini this time arraigned Volosin on a recent grand jury indictment charging him with the weapon crime and first-degree criminal mischief, both felonies. According to the indictment, Volosin allegedly was found to be in possession of a “dangerous instrument” on June 16 and to have caused more than $750 in property damage to the jail.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Hoddle has also filed charges of fourth-degree assault and harassment, both misdemeanors, stemming from the alleged March 28 assault involving a 24-year-old male inmate being held on a parole violation.

Again, Ambrosini asked Volosin if he understood his rights to an attorney and whether he would like representation.

“I do not want to have an attorney represent me,” Volosin said.

Ambrosini said Volosin would still need to fill out the required forms waiving his rights in the two latest cases. A court hearing on the matter was scheduled for Wednesday.

Volosin is currently scheduled to stand trial in September on four other cases that include charges of second-degree assault, first-degree criminal mischief, attempting to elude police in a vehicle, reckless driving, tampering with a witness, failure to appear and failure to report as a sex offender.

During the hearing in May, Hoddle explained that he intended to seek consecutive sentences for any convictions he secures against Volosin. The suspect faces a minimum of five years, eight months in prison for the second-degree assault charge alone.

“What you’re considering doing is extremely dangerous and risky,” Ambrosini told him at the time.

Court records show that Volosin was sent to the Oregon State Hospital for a psychological evaluation last year and was found to be able to aid and assist in his defense.

He remains held without bail in the Douglas County Jail.


• You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@nrtoday.com.