A forensic psychologist will evaluate a 27-year-old Oak Harbor man who police arrested after a brief hostage situation last month.

Island County prosecutors amended charges against Robert Wimmer June 27 to include first-degree rape (a domestic violence charge), first-degree burglary with a deadly weapons enhancement (domestic violence) and assault in the second-degree with a deadly weapon (domestic violence).

Wimmer pleaded not guilty July 1.

At the same hearing, Judge Alan Hancock signed an order to have psychologist Dr. Kenneth Muscatel examine Wimmer, at a maximum cost to the county of $2,000. The exam will include an evaluation to help determine whether Wimmer is competent to stand trial.

Wimmer’s attorney, Lance Hendrix of Coupeville, wrote that Wimmer didn’t seem to understand the charges against him or the court proceedings. He wrote that Wimmer “continues to show an exceptionally vague understanding of the charges brought against him and the reason the bail is so high.”

On June 21, Island County Superior Court Judge Vickie Churchill set Wimmer’s bail at $500,000. Hendrix asked Hancock to reduce the bail July 1, but the judge refused.

If convicted of the charges against him, Wimmer could face more than 14 years in prison.

According to court documents, Wimmer tracked down his estranged wife, who had moved out and was hiding from him at a SW Kaleeton Loop apartment building. On the morning of June 20, he forced his way into her apartment and raped the 23-year-old woman, the police report states.

A neighbor called the police after the victim managed to escape from the apartment and Wimmer dragged her back inside.

Officers Mike Clements and Dennis Dickinson responded to the scene. The officers heard a woman crying inside the apartment. At least one of the officers looked inside and saw Wimmer holding a knife to the woman’s throat, Oak Harbor Police Capt. Rick Wallace said.

After a brief stand-off, Officer Clements kicked in the door with his gun drawn and rescued the woman. Wimmer was stunned at the officer’s entrance and drew the knife up to his own neck. Clements ordered Wimmer to put the knife down, but he refused and repeated, “I only want to kill myself.”

After Officer Dickinson entered, Clements drew his Taser gun and shot Wimmer, who was immediately incapacitated. He dropped the knife and fell to the ground, the report states.

The woman was transported to the Navy hospital with minor injuries.

You can reach Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or 675-6611.