Clallam County Superior Court’s docket for February 13, 2026, lists Judge Brent Basden for the Family Law calendar, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 3. This assignment follows the abrupt departure of Court Commissioner Brian Parker earlier this week. For many local residents, the shift in judicial responsibility signals a renewed scrutiny of the court’s handling of sensitive family matters rather than a simple procedural adjustment.
The appointment places significant attention on Basden’s historical rulings, particularly regarding domestic violence and child custody. Community advocates and survivors argue that past decisions under Basden’s supervision have contributed to preventable tragedies.
Two previously reported cases have become focal points for those calling for systemic reform. In a 2014 domestic violence matter, a survivor, Becky Kardonsky, testified that she repeatedly requested supervised visitation due to severe fear of her partner, Gary Borneman. Basden denied the motion. Shortly after the ruling, Borneman killed Kardonsky’s boyfriend and held the survivor at gunpoint. In subsequent writings, Kardonsky attributed the tragedy to the court’s failure to implement the requested safeguards.
A second case involved the death of toddler Gary Blanton III in 2015. During the custody proceedings, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) caseworkers raised concerns about the child’s safety. Basden proceeded with the placement despite these warnings. The child died two months after the ruling. When asked about these outcomes, Basden has previously noted that as a judge, he does not personally visit the parties’ homes to verify safety.
Further scrutiny has emerged regarding the court’s internal protocols and training records. In response to administrative inquiries, the court stated it holds no documentation indicating that Basden has completed specific training in domestic violence, sexual abuse, or child protective services protocols. Additionally, Basden has expressed public skepticism regarding certain law enforcement methods, stating on video that police involvement can sometimes exacerbate issues when interviewing child victims of abuse.
Basden also played a key role in the appointment of Brian Parker, waiving standard background check requirements for the commissioner. This decision came despite a late-arriving police report that detailed allegations of Parker lying under oath.
Public reaction to these developments has crossed political boundaries. Following the news of Parker’s removal, residents took to social media to express frustration, with one commenter describing the situation as a matter of "corruption and misuse of power" rather than a partisan divide. Other observers characterized the leadership as "corrupt" and "power-tripping."
Protests have already occurred outside the courthouse. Demonstrators have held signs and included silent observers dressed in "Handmaid" attire, symbolizing the perceived treatment of women and vulnerable populations within the judicial system.
Judge Basden is scheduled to begin hearing cases at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Those who will appear before him are no longer passive observers; they are actively monitoring proceedings and evaluating outcomes. The ousting of Commissioner Parker is viewed by many constituents as merely an initial move toward addressing what they describe as a court system fundamentally broken at its core.