MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — The trial for a man accused of shooting a Mount Vernon police officer started Tuesday in Skagit County Superior Court.
Ernesto Lee Rivas has been charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a standoff in December 2016 that left officer Michael McClaughry blind after he was shot in the head.
Rivas has also been charged with attempted murder and assault for a shooting that led officers to his house to investigate that day, and assault for allegedly shooting at officers who were with McClaughry.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports the trial of Rivas is expected to last about six weeks.
In opening arguments this morning, prosecutors say Rivas gave the gun to a teen to shoot a rival gang member then holed up in his home for an hours-long shootout, in which McClaughry was shot. Defense lawyers say none of that is true. #RivasTrial https://t.co/Ucr4iU004C
— Kera Wanielista (@Kera_SVH) August 6, 2019