Coroner: Franklin commissioners using ‘bullying tactic’ to oppose inquest

Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel has released a letter accusing commissioners of trying to bully him into not holding an inquest into the death of Antonio Zambrano-Montes, who was shot by Pasco police last year.

Commissioners notified Blasdel earlier this month that the county would not decide whether to fund the inquest without first seeing a proposal of how much the proceedings would cost.

They described the inquest as an unnecessary waste of taxpayer money, and said Blasdel could be held personally financially responsible if he moves forward without approval.

Blasdel fired back this week, notifying commissioners that he plans to move forward with the inquest — with or without their approval.

“To threaten me personally is simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated,” Blasdel wrote in the letter. “I am an elected official and threatening me personally is a bullying tactic and exceptionally uncouth.”

State law gives coroners the power to hold inquests and the county is responsible for paying the bill. Commissioners have argued that Blasdel cannot spend any of the county’s money without approval.

Blasdel plans to submit two budget proposals next week, he said. The proceedings are expected to last about two weeks and involve dozens of witnesses.

One proposal will include the estimated cost if county Prosecutor Shawn Sant decides to participate in the inquest, Blasdel said. The other will include a budget with a special prosecutor, which he estimates could cost $60,000 to $100,000 more.

“The coroner’s office will submit a budget as courtesy to the county, however the fact-finding inquest process is not dependent on the county approving the budget as the commissioners claim,” Blasdel wrote.

Sant has told the Herald that he does not plan to present evidence at the inquest, which would allow a jury of six civilians to make a determination on facts in the case and whether the shooting was justified.

Sant has already decided that the Feb. 10, 2015, shooting was justified and the three officers involved have been criminally cleared. The prosecutor has been outspoken that he sees no value in an inquest because a charging decision has been made and facts of the case have been made public for months.

Sant estimates a special prosecutor could cost between $40,000 and $60,000.

Blasdel says an inquest would provide transparency in the case and allow a jury to weigh in on whether the shooting was justified.

“The citizens of Franklin County have the right to know and understand every single fact surrounding the death of Mr. Zambrano-Montes,” Blasdel wrote. “It is (the) responsibility, and the right by law, for the coroner to hold this process, regardless of the outcome.”

Blasdel also intends to hold the inquest at the Franklin County Courthouse, despite a letter from Superior Court judges saying the venue would not be available. The judges cited security and other concerns.

Blasdel previously planned to hold the inquest at TRAC in Pasco, which would cost extra money for the space and security.

“The Superior Court judges don’t get to decide who uses the courthouse for official business and who does not,” Blasdel wrote.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 9:13 PM with the headline "Coroner: Franklin commissioners using ‘bullying tactic’ to oppose inquest."