The man accused of threatening to kill Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was due in court Monday morning to enter a plea.
The man accused of threatening to kill Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was due in court Monday morning to enter a plea, but his attorney instead waived his appearance and requested a mental health evaluation.
A judge granted the request.
Nathaniel Foster is facing charges for allegedly making threats to kill the governor.
According to court documents, Foster showed up at Swedish Hospital in First Hill in July with suicidal and homicidal thoughts. He was evaluated for involuntary detention at a mental health facility.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE | Seattle man charged with threatening to kill Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson
Court records state Foster told investigators he planned to look for weaknesses in the governor's mansion security and force his way in, and that he would hurt or kill the governor's staff to get to the governor and kill him.
A spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) said the case first came to them in late July, but prosecutors needed essential information from investigators to file charges.
"There was some essential information we wanted to get before we brought it to court, which were things like the video, witness statements, really key details we needed to have for the case," a KCPAO spokesperson said.
By the time prosecutors had enough information to file charges, Foster was out of the hospital and not in custody.
He failed to show up to court hearings until Seattle police arrested him in August for damaging an SPD patrol unit.
According to court records, Foster has a history of violent criminal charges, including an assault last year in Olympia in which he allegedly stabbed a grocery store employee in the face after the employee greeted him.
That case was later dismissed after Foster was found incompetent to stand trial, and he was to be evaluated for civil commitment.
It's unclear how Foster was out of custody when he allegedly threatened the governor.
His address on court documents is listed as a homeless resource center in Seattle, where he is being investigated for his latest alleged crimes.
"Whenever you have somebody making threats, whether it's the governor or anyone else, you've got to have accountability and do what you can to show that to the court," a KCPAO said.
Foster is due back in court Sept. 15, when a judge is expected to review the results of the mental health evaluation and determine next steps.
Depending on the outcome, a judge could order a period of competency restoration, during which psychologists at Western State Hospital would work to determine whether Foster can be restored to competency to stand trial.
That process could take up to a year.
