A 45-year-old transient who is wanted for violating his parole on an aggravated burglary conviction is fighting his extradition to Tennessee.

Michael Brandon Laster was arrested early last month in Port Townsend as a fugitive from justice from another state.

Local police were told
Dec. 5 that Laster was likely in Port Townsend, was armed with a steak knife, and may be aggressive with law enforcement.

Officers began looking for Laster near the Penny Saver, and soon found him at a table at the Food Co-op, with a steak knife on the ground near where he was sitting.

Laster was taken into custody, and officers also found a small camping axe in his possession.

During his first appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court in December, Laster’s attorney said Laster would waive extradition.

But during a waiver of extradition hearing Friday, Jan. 13 in superior court, attorney Scott Charlton said his client had changed his mind.

The switch brought a sharp response from Superior Court Judge Keith Harper.

“We’ve screwed around with this enough,” Harper said, adding that he wanted the case resolved.

A status hearing was set for Jan. 27.

Laster is wanted on a November warrant from the Tennessee Department of Correction following his conditional parole of June 24. He was originally sentenced to 16 years for aggravated burglary and theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000.