Man Found Competent For Trial In Shooting Of Police Officer
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) – A Washington state man accused of shooting a police officer has been found competent to stand trial.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports the trial of 47-year-old Ernesto Lee Rivas is scheduled to begin Wednesday on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
The charges stem from a standoff with police in December 2016 that left Mount Vernon officer Michael “Mick” McClaughry blind after he was shot in the head.
Lawyers for Rivas raised questions about their client’s competency earlier this month, prompting the court to order an evaluation.
The evaluator determined Rivas understands the justice system and the charges against him. The evaluation also found Rivas has the mental ability to assist his lawyers in his defense.
