MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — A trial was delayed yet again for a man accused of shooting a Mount Vernon police officer.
The courts have delayed Ernesto Lee Rivas’ trial fourteen times since December 2016.
Rivas is accused of shooting officer Michael McClaughry in the head, leaving him blind.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports this time Rivas’ defense team raised concerns over his competency and on Friday the judge allowed them to initiate a mental health evaluation.
Last February, the trial was delayed to get a new public defender up to speed on the case.
The trial of Rivas likely won’t start until late this year or early next year.