Ex-Connell teacher ‘lost it’ and threatened cop and roommate with hatchet, say police

A longtime Connell High teacher and coach is being held for an mental evaluation for the second time in three months after threatening a police officer and his roommate.

James L Colclasure, 65, was arrested earlier this week after getting into a fight with a roommate and then taunting an officer with a hatchet.

He ended up barricading himself inside his home for six hours before surrendering, show court documents filed in the case.

Now, a judge has ordered him returned to Eastern State Hospital for an evaluation of his competency to stand trial.

Colclasure is being held on suspicion of attempted assault and a misdemeanor assault, as well as malicious mischief.

He called police about 11:35 a.m. on Monday, wanting police to throw out Andrea M. Donovan, 36, who had recently moved into a motorhome on his property after living in the house, said Connell Police Officer Milkar Gutierrez.

Gutierrez explained that it wasn’t a crime and Colclasure would need to use a civil eviction process.

Then, the officer called Donovan out of the motorhome, and found she had been crying. He soon learn that Colclasure “lost it” and grabbed a hose and started spraying down her clothes, electronics, furniture and paperwork because she “went to work without telling him,” said court documents.

When the officer tried to arrest Colclasure for misdemeanor assault, he backed away toward the house, grabbed a hatchet and taunted the officer to arrest him.

As the officer was leading the roommate to safety, Colclasure reportedly came out with the hatchet over his head and threatened to bury it in the officer’s skull.

He also threatened his roommate before going back inside, said court documents.

When he refused to come out, the regional SWAT team was called in and he finally surrendered at 6 p.m.

Former teacher, coach

Colclasure taught at Connell High School for 34 years, and was a basketball coach, according to court records. His career ended about 10 years ago.

This is the second criminal case that Colclasure has been involved in this year, and the only two felonies in his lifetime, show records.

In May, he led police on a chase through Connell, said police.

An evaluation at Eastern State Hospital found he understood the proceedings, but wasn’t able to help in his defense.

He was diagnosed with an “unspecified bipolar and related disorder,” along disorders related to using cannabis and alcohol.

“Mr. Colclasure demonstrates adequate factual knowledge of the trial process and the charges against him,” the report said.

However, his symptoms would substantially interfere with his ability to talk with an attorney and plan a defense, said the evaluation.

Psychologist R. Cory Fanto recommended that anti-psychotic medications would be necessary to restore Colclasure’s ability to help in his defense.