A transient man who authorities say pulled a knife on an acquaintance on the streets of Longview was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree assault following a two-day trial.
An Meingin, 46, of an unknown location, has a sentencing hearing for his felony conviction scheduled Monday in Cowlitz County Superior Court.
Meingin, who required a Chuukese interpreter during court appearances, also had his competency evaluated in order to stand trial. He was found competent to stand trial in October.
Authorities were dispatched at 2:24 a.m. Sept. 17 to the 1100 block of 17th Avenue, a few blocks behind the 15th Avenue UPS, due to a report of a man being threatened with a knife, court records show.
The victim told the police he offered Meingin, who he recognized, a cigarette when he walked by, but then Meingin started bothering him.
After a minor dispute, Meingin left but returned nearly an hour later, walking towards the victim's car.
The victim told him to stay away, he relayed to police, but Meingin starting muttering to himself, pulled out a Wrist Rocket slingshot for adults and drew it back. Believing he was about to be hit, the victim got out of his vehicle and took a defensive stance, he told police in the arresting report.
Meingin then put the slingshot away and pulled a knife out of his pocket.
The victim said Meingin lunged at him, but when he called 911, Meingin fled down an alley, the report states.
Longview police arrested Meingin at the Town Chalet Motel, at 1822 Washington Way, near the Longview KeyBank. After police searched him, they reported finding a slingshot with a bag full of rocks and a large knife, according to the arresting document.
