Everett man pleads guilty to murder on Tulalip reservation

Published 10:36 pm Wednesday, March 10, 2010

EVERETT — An Everett man on Wednesday admitted he was responsible for the 2008 shooting death of Nicky Schoonover Jr. just north of the Tulalip Indian Reservation.

Jamall Baker, 33, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. He faces up to 28 years in prison.

The case against Baker has been delayed for more than two years while state doctors evaluated Baker at least three times to determine if he was able to assist in his own legal defense.

A judge earlier this month ruled that Baker was competent to stand trial.

Schoonover, 36, was discovered in a vacant lot near the reservation. He’d been shot multiple times in an apparent robbery Feb. 19, 2008.

Detectives believe Schoonover was killed for his disability payment. Investigators discovered a check-cashing receipt clenched in his hand. Earlier in the day he’d taken the $800 check to a Money Tree check-cashing business in Everett.

Co-defendant Elmer Sampson pleaded guilty in July to second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He had agreed to testify against Baker.

Baker is scheduled to be sentenced March 30.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.