EVERETT — An Arlington man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Thursday for shooting his older brother in the back during a dispute over where to move cattle on the family farm.
Mark Hillis, 48, admitted he fatally shot his brother on Dec. 5, 2009. He insisted Thursday the killing wa
sn’t intentional, but also acknowledged it happened while he was attempting a felony assault on his brother with a firearm.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Ed Stemler said he’ll seek more than 15 years in prison at sentencing later this month. Mark Hillis has no prior convictions, and the maximum punishment is 20 years under state sentencing guidelines.
The family had operated a farm outside Arlington for more than 100 years. John Hillis, 52, took over management of the business after his uncle died and his father suffered a stroke.
Questions about control of the property had been central to bitterness and lawsuits involving the brothers in recent years.
Mark Hillis ended their final argument by going to his room and grabbing a rifle. He fired one shot into the ceiling. John Hillis, who had hip problems and usually walked with a cane, was headed for the door when he was struck from behind, just below his shoulders, prosecutors said.
When deputies arrived, Mark Hillis was attempting to revive his brother using CPR.
The defendant spent much of a tearful hour Thursday in front of Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anita Farris.
The defendant admitted he had committed the offense and likely would have been found guilty by a jury. At the same time, he filed paperwork indicating he would have argued self defense and claimed to be struggling with post traumatic stress disorder.
As part of the plea agreement, defense attorney Laura Martin told the court she’ll argue that her client should receive punishment that’s less than the 12-year minimum sentence under state guidelines.
Farris closely questioned Hillis, making certain he understood the rights he was giving up by pleading guilty. She took a recess at one point when the defendant appeared overwhelmed by emotion.
“It’s just so hard,” he said when the hearing resumed.
After the hearing, Stemler said a defense expert had diagnosed Mark Hillis as having developed a stress disorder connected to his relationship with the elder brother he now has admitted killing.
The brothers’ 80-year-old mother was at home when the shooting occurred. She told deputies that the pair “fought all the time,” and the final dispute was over John Hillis’ desire to move some cattle to a different location on the farm, according to court papers.
Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
