Zamora’s competency hearing delayed
13 Comments | Email | Print | 2721 views Tahlia Ganser | Skagit Valley Herald
May 04, 2009 - 02:04 PM
Last Updated: May 04, 2009 - 03:17 PM

Frank Varga

Multiple-murder defendant Isaac L. Zamora is led into Skagit County Superior Court on Monday. His competency hearing was delayed until Wednesday.

MOUNT VERNON — Even though attorneys agreed Friday that murder defendant Isaac L. Zamora was competent to stand trial, his defense attorney decided before today’s competency hearing that he couldn’t agree to that after all.

Skagit County Superior Court Judge Mike Rickert called the situation “another bump in the road” for a case that has now stretched over eight months. He delayed the competency hearing and arraignment until 1:30 Wednesday when a doctor from Western State Hospital will testify.

Zamora is accused of killing six people and injuring four more during a rampage that began in an Alger neighborhood on Sept. 2 and continued down Interstate 5 all the way to the Skagit County courthouse, where he turned himself in following a police chase.

Attorneys on both sides had told Rickert on Friday that the 28-year-old was now mentally stable enough to stand trial after being forced anti-psychotic medication since his most recent hospitalization in mid-March.

Because of Friday’s conversation with attorneys, Rickert expected to rule Zamora competent today. But at the last minute, defense attorney Wes Richards said that he would not agree that Zamora was competent. He offered no explanation in open court.

The death penalty remains a possibility in the case, as well as an insanity defense.

• Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at .





Read all 13 comments / share your thoughts
Latest comments

Isaac Zamora intentionally went out and killed 6 people and endangered who knows how many more yet people are hesitant to nail his ### to the wall....hmmmm....…

Posted May 15, 2009 - 01:04 PM by glitterfairie

Lady Juliette

#1. I am sorry for your loss.
#2. If not for the millions that will be wasted in a death penalty quest that may be overturned…

Posted May 10, 2009 - 11:38 AM by SkagitonianYouth

I am a friend of one of the victims and I say get it over with and put him to death. It has nothing to do with a vendetta, revenge or what is more cruel…

Posted May 07, 2009 - 08:01 AM by dl72


Read all 13 comments / share your thoughts


More Local News

Top Jobs

Youth Center Staff Supervisor The Swinomish Tribal Community Recreation/ Prevention Department is looking for a dynamic and competent individual who is experienced as a Youth Center Staff Supervisor. The Youth Center Supervisor plans, and does the total duties of a Prevention/Recreation Assistant. This position provides leadership to the other assistants when the Coordinator is out of the office. The Swinomish Tribal Community is a positive and friendly work environment. This is a full-time position with full health insurance benefits. Salary is DOQ. Request a Swinomish Tribal Community application and Job Description by calling 360-466-1216 or e-mail wbill@swinomish.nsn.us. Return cover letter, resume, and application to Wayne Bill, Human Resource Director as soon as possible. Send application packet to; Swinomish Tribal Community, Human Resource Office, 11404 Moorage Way, LaConner, WA. 98257


STYLIST for AVEDA SALON AND SPA. Commission. 1019 Cleveland St., MV 336-2985


LIVE-IN CAREGIVER. Room and board furnished. Clean, cook, secretarial, farm management. Integrity required. 360-873-9600


REFINERY OPERATOR Tesoro is currently seeking to fill the position of Refinery Operator at its Anacortes facility. An Operator monitors and controls refinery process equipment while working a rotating 12-hour shift, often outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. This can be a physically/mentally challenging job requiring mechanical ability and a basic understanding of physical sciences and chemistry. In addition, candidates must possess a positive work ethic, good communications and teamworking skills and have the willingness to take personal responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. Along with a dynamic work environment, Tesoro offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Starting wage will be $21.38 per hour that will initially increase to $25.59 after successful completion of training. Employment applications (one application per person) can be obtained at the Work Source Skagit, 2005 E. College Way, in Mount Vernon during the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on November 24, 25, and 30, 2009, or until a maximum of 300 applications has been distributed. No applications will be faxed or mailed. You must apply in person. All applicants will be tested on Saturday, December 5, 2009, for basic skills and aptitude. Additional information will be provided with the application. Telephone inquiries and mail-in applications will not be accepted. Successful candidates for employment will be required to pass a substance abuse screening (drug and alcohol), physical agility tests, and complete a physical exam. Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company 10200 W. March Point Rd. Anacortes, WA 98221 Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V


Established medical office seeks Medical Records Clerk/Receptionist. Must be flex. Position also covers sick & vacation days. You must have computer, customer service and professional telephone skills. Applicant must be neat in appearance, pleasant, reliable, organized, energetic and able to multi-task. Previous medical exp. is helpful but not nec. Send resume to: bonniec-mvwc @verizon.net or File #676 c/o Skagit Valley Herald, PO Box 578, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.