Farm Worker Inquest May Move to Another County

PASCO (AP) — Franklin County's coroner says he might have to move an inquest into the fatal Pasco police shooting of an immigrant farm worker to another county.

Coroner Dan Blasdel tells the Tri-City Herald he's having trouble finding a venue.

Antonio Zambrano-Montes was shot by three Pasco officers in a busy intersection Feb. 10. The shooting prompted months of protests.

The inquest will give a jury of six civilians the opportunity to make a recommendation on whether the shooting was justified.

Blasdel says he needs a secure building large enough to accommodate the inquest, which is expected to last two weeks and could feature dozens of witnesses. Franklin County court officials have told Blasdel rooms in the courthouse will not be open for him to use until at least October. He says he may look at moving the inquest to Grant or Yakima counties.