COLFAX - The trial has been postponed for a Spokane man accused of stabbing and shooting his friend following an altercation on Independence Day.

Jerry J. Tkach, 63, appeared Friday in Whitman County Superior Court to waive his right to a speedy trial. His next appearance is set for Sept. 9.

Tkach is charged with first-degree assault with a firearms enhancement for his alleged connection to an incident reported about 11 p.m. July 4.

Tkach and his friend of two years, Boris Titov, 36, of Spokane, had reportedly traveled to Tekoa to stay with friends for the holiday weekend, according to court documents. Tkach was in his tent on the 100 block of North Crosby Street in Tekoa when Titov approached the tent, resulting in an alleged altercation.

According to court documents, Tkach allegedly swung his knife and then fired his .22-caliber pistol at Titov at least twice. Titov retreated to a friend's house and was later taken by Medstar to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He was treated for two stab wounds to the back and two bullet wounds to his leg, according to court documents.

Tkach later told Whitman County sheriff's deputies that Titov had approached the tent and was "ragging on him" and urinating on the tent, according to court records. Tkach said Titov then started swinging a metal pipe at him, prompting Tkach to take out his knife.

Titov told authorities that he approached Tkach's tent to ask for marijuana and was then joking around with him, according to court records. Titov said he didn't know why Tkach confronted him.

Upon arrest, deputies located a .22-caliber pistol and a large folding knife on Tkach's person. At the scene of the alleged incident, deputies did not locate any metal pipes, but did find a broken fiberglass tent pole.

First-degree assault, a Class A felony, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $50,000.

Pullman attorney Steve Martonick is representing Tkach. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Dan LeBeau is handling the cause for the state.

Tkach remains in custody at the Whitman County Jail. Court Commissioner Howard Neill reduced his bond Friday from $50,000 to $25,000.

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Embree may be contacted at cembree@lmtribune.com or (208) 669-1298. Follow her on Twitter @chelseaembree.