Franklin commission allows coroner to transfer funds for inquest

The Franklin County coroner plans to pinch pennies to pay for a controversial inquest next month into the death of the orchard worker shot and killed by Pasco police officers following a confrontation almost a year ago.

Coroner Dan Blasdel received approval to use $8,500 in his already-tight budget to restore a part-time coroner this year. The money had been allocated for subscriptions and conference registrations. Blasdel told county commissioners he will forgo those in 2016 unless outside money can be provided.

Blasdel said Wednesday’s reallocation by the commissioners will allow his two-person office to hire Harold Livingston as a part-time coroner if Blasdel gets tied up in court with the two-week inquest.

The $8,500 won’t cover the full cost of a pending inquest into the Feb. 10 death of Antonio Zambrano-Montes, who died after being shot at by Pasco police.

By law, the county commission must pay for the inquest, but Blasdel said he had no estimate of what it could cost. However, he said using the TRAC facility in Pasco will cost $7,500 and he’ll need to spend $25 an hour for security.

While Blasdel presses ahead with his plan, Washington lawmakers are considering a bill to make it easier for him and other coroners to schedule inquests.

The 2016 Legislature is considering a bill to require the state’s Superior Courts to provide courtrooms, personnel and security when coroners order inquests.

In September, judges told Blasdel that the Franklin County Courthouse could not be used for the Zambrano-Montes inquiry, saying it would create security issues, delay criminal hearings and disrupt day-to-day activities.

In Olympia, Sens. Bob Hasegawa, D-Seattle, and John McCoy, D-Tulalip, introduced Senate Bill 6295.

The Latino Civic Alliance, which previously asked Tri-City judges to allow Blasdel to use the Franklin County Courthouse for the Zambrano-Montes inquest, supports the bill.

Wednesday, the commission did not specifically discuss the inquest when it agreed to transfer money within the coroner’s budget. But after the meeting, Blasdel said that the move will ensure a coroner is on duty to respond to Franklin County deaths.

Blasdel and one deputy respond to all deaths in the county. The two take turns being on call 24 hours a day for a week at a time. The coroner’s office typically receives a call every other day, with each death resulting in about 10 hours of work. That can include conducting an autopsy and completing death-related paperwork.

The temporary coroner will be paid $2 an hour while on call and $15 an hour while working.

Blasdel will be unavailable during the inquest to respond to new deaths, leaving the burden on his lone employee.

The on-call coroner must be available at all hours. That means staying in or near Franklin County and being ready to work at any time. That rules out even a glass of wine with dinner, commissioners observed.

Zambrano-Montes, 35, died after being shot by three Pasco police officers following a rock-throwing confrontation near Fiesta Foods.

The Pasco police chief cleared the officers of wrongdoing. Franklin County Prosecutor Shawn Sant declined to file charges, saying that the officers acted without malice, and rocks could be considered lethal weapons.

Hispanic leaders and others pushed for a formal inquest. Blasdel said that presenting the investigation to the public will let a panel of citizens give an opinion on whether the shooting was justified.

The panel can make recommendations to the prosecutor, who does not have to follow them. It can also make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Blasdel said he is talking with Sant about his participation in the inquest.

Zambrano-Montes’ parents and widow have filed separate federal lawsuits against the city alleging wrongful death.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Franklin commission allows coroner to transfer funds for inquest."