Inquest into death of orchard worker put on hold again

PASCO – A coroner’s inquest into the shooting death of a mentally ill man by Pasco police last year has been delayed after an attorney withdrew from the case.

The Tri-City lawyer informed Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel of his decision to back out Monday, citing legal conflicts.

The Tri-City Herald reported the inquest into 35-year-old Antonio Zambrano-Montes’ death was planned this fall but is now on indefinite hold until Blasdel can find a replacement.

Zambrano-Montes, an orchard worker from Mexico, was shot by three officers as he threw rocks at police.

State and federal prosecutors have declined to charge the officers, but Blasdel has continued to push for an independent inquest into Zambrano-Montes’ death.

The inquest has been delayed several times, including one time earlier this year over funding.