A series of court rulings in Clallam County have drawn scrutiny for their consistent failure to safeguard at-risk individuals, with then-Commissioner Brent Basden at the center of two major incidents within a two-year window.

In both 2014 and 2015, formal requests for protective interventions were declined or postponed by Basden just before catastrophic outcomes occurred—first a homicide and abduction, then the death of a young child in foster care.

Pleaded for Supervised Visitation

In 2014, Basden presided over a domestic violence matter that concluded with the fatal shooting of a Port Angeles man and the abduction of his partner, Becky Kardonsky. Kardonsky, who survived the attack, has since emphasized that she actively sought safeguards in advance. She reportedly asked the court to mandate supervised visitation for the father of her unborn child, citing deep concern over his history and behavior. Basden declined that proposal. She later wrote that her boyfriend was killed and she was held at gunpoint, in part because the court had not imposed conditions it was positioned to enforce. The perpetrator, Gary Borneman, received a sentence exceeding 34 years in a separate proceeding before another judge for charges including premeditated murder and kidnapping. Kardonsky continues to voice concern over the lasting impact on her and her son, noting they remain in a state of heightened vigilance.

The Death of Gary Blanton III

A year later, Basden played a pivotal role in a custody determination involving Gary Blanton III and his sister, Destiny. Earlier that year, their half-sister Skylar and Gary had been placed with their aunt, Cynthia Khaleel. By late 2014, school staff had raised alarms with the Department of Social and Health Services about possible maltreatment, and caseworkers reinforced those concerns in early 2015. Despite this information, Basden moved forward with a hearing to determine Destiny’s placement. On February 5, 2015, he issued an order transferring Destiny to Khaleel’s care—just two days after DSHS had flagged issues and less than two weeks before a caseworker characterized the household as “chaotic.” Gary Blanton III died on April 18, 2015, while living with Khaleel.

No Accountability

In response to criticism, Basden has pointed to the inherent limits of judicial oversight. He has stated that he “has no way of knowing what he’s not told” during proceedings. He further observed that courts do not routinely conduct home visits, noting, “The court doesn’t get off the bench, get in the car and drive over to the home.” Yet for those directly affected, the court did receive timely information—first from Kardonsky’s direct plea in 2014, and again from DSHS before the 2015 ruling. In additional matters, Basden has also directed responsibility toward law enforcement, suggesting their interviews with young victims can exacerbate trauma. Some local residents trace Basden’s skepticism of police to the early 2000s, when the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted a search at the office of Lane Wolfley, then Basden’s business partner.

Bar Discipline and Judicial Inquiry

Bar Sanctions

Following the raid, the attorney faced significant professional discipline from the Washington State Bar Association in 2005. The agency suspended his law license for three years after issuing a formal complaint and determining there was sufficient evidence of unethical conduct.

The Bar Association Disciplinary Board ruled that the attorney knowingly and intentionally initiated sexual contact with a client while handling a personal injury matter. The official findings stated that he kissed her, fondled her, touched her breasts and buttocks, and placed his hands inside her clothing.

When questioned by regulators, the attorney knowingly and intentionally provided false information to the Bar Association, testifying falsely that the events never occurred.

Consequences of Judicial Inaction

For survivors, the judge's inability or unwillingness to act on these clear warning signs has resulted in irreversible consequences. The judicial system is designed to be the final line of defense for the vulnerable, yet in these two instances, that line failed.

Regarding the 2014 case, a commentator summarized that the tragedy all could have been prevented if the judge does his job.

This sentiment resonates across Clallam County, leaving residents to question whether Judge Basden has learned from his past rulings.

(Update March 3, 2026): The Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct officially opened an investigation into Judge Basden.