Suspect in clerk’s throat slashing to undergo competency evaluation

The arraignment was postponed Jan. 29 for the man charged with first-degree assault and first-degree robbery in the assault of a store clerk Jan. 14

The arraignment was postponed Jan. 29 for the man charged with first-degree assault and first-degree robbery in the assault of a store clerk Jan. 14.

A judge ordered a competency evaluation for the defendant, Darren Gayles, 44, who is accused of cutting a clerk’s throat during a robbery at a video game store in downtown Renton.

The competency hearing is Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom GA of the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

According to prosecutors, Gayles allegedly held a knife to the woman’s throat, forced her to open the cash drawer and then cut her throat. He then stole cash from the cash drawer and fled.

Bail is set at $1 million.