WOMAN SHOT BY COP HAD MARIJUANA IN BACKPACK

PORT ORCHARD - A search of the pickup whose passenger was shot dead
by a state trooper last week turned up a pound of marijuana, a drug
pipe, rolling papers, six hollow-tipped bullets and more than $700
cash, according to court documents filed here Wednesday.

A bag of marijuana and money also were found in the backpack of the
woman shot, Rosa Hammer, the court papers say.

Hammer, 27, of Port Angeles, was shot by Trooper Ron Kessler on Aug.
9, after she pulled out a revolver during a scuffle over control of
the backpack and shot Kessler in the hand, the documents say.

Hammer died at the scene, and Kessler was airlifted to Harborview
Medical Center for treatment. He has since been released and is on
administrative leave until the completion of an investigation into
the shooting.

According to police, Hammer and her 5-year-old daughter had been
passengers in a pickup driven by a friend when the truck was pulled
over around 6:30 p.m. for speeding on Highway 16 in Gorst.

The driver was arrested by Kessler on suspicion of driving under the
influence, handcuffed and put in the back of the cruiser.

Kessler then returned to the truck, according to the search warrant
filed in Kitsap County Superior Court, and asked Hammer to show him
the contents of a backpack.

Hammer, apparently out of the truck by then, refused; and she and
Kessler wrestled over the bag, court documents say. They were on the
ground when Hammer pulled out a revolver and fired at Kessler,
hitting him in the hand, the papers say.

"They continued to struggle for the control of the weapon," until
Kessler pulled out a gun and shot Hammer three times, according to an
account written by State Patrol detective Jacob Matt McMillen. Hammer
was struck by all three shots.

Kessler, 32, is recuperating at his home in Port Orchard, according
to police, and has not spoken to authorities about the shooting.

The driver of the truck has not been charged with a crime. Hammer's
daughter is being cared for by her grandfather, Edward Hammer, in
Port Angeles.