by Tahlia Ganser
Murder defendant Isaac L. Zamora sits in prison garb and restraints in a Skagit County courtroom during a pretrial hearing Wednesday.
MOUNT VERNON — The Alger man accused of killing six people and injuring four more in September, will remain cuffed at his hands and ankles in court appearances leading up to his trial, a Skagit County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.
Isaac L. Zamora’s attorneys, Wesley Richards and Keith Tyne, argued that because of the extensive media coverage of Zamora’s appearances, potential jurors would be prejudiced by seeing him in photos or video with the restraints. Richards also requested that Zamora be allowed to wear street clothing. The jail clothing could make potential jurors prejudiced toward Zamora because it makes him look dangerous, Richards said.
Richards said Zamora’s ability to communicate with his attorneys is also hampered by the cuffs.
However, Judge Mike Rickert said he would not allow 28-year-old defendant to have his arms and feet free in the courtroom because of the seriousness of the accusations.
Rickert also said he was concerned about Zamora’s close proximity to the public and victim family members in the small District Court room where Zamora has been appearing. The room is the only secure courtroom to hold the upcoming appearances.
Zamora’s “temperament” also weighed into Rickert’s decision.
“It’s been difficult for counsel and the court to deal with him,” Rickert said.
The defense also requested that the media not be allowed to take photos or video of Zamora in restraints in the courtroom or in the entire court building. Rickert delayed his decision on the media motion until Zamora’s scheduled arraignment at 9 a.m. Thursday.
