Coroner to address inquest later this month

The Franklin County coroner announced Monday he plans to respond later this month to a letter from county commissioners denying funding for an inquest until a budget is proposed.

Commissioners recently told Coroner Dan Blasdel he cannot have money for an inquest into the police shooting of Antonio Zambrano-Montes without submitting a budget for the hearings.

The inquest was scheduled for Feb. 23 at TRAC in Pasco. Blasdel previously told the Herald he plans to talk with commissioners to try and work out a budget. Under state law, the coroner has the right to call an inquest and the county is responsible for funding.

Blasdel is teaching a class in Leavenworth through Feb. 12 and plans to address commissioners when he is back.

Zambrano-Montes, 35, was fatally shot by three Pasco police officers on Feb. 10, 2015.

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 8:59 PM with the headline "Coroner to address inquest later this month."