Man behind killing spree may withdraw guilty pleas

Associated Press

MOUNT VERNON — A man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in confinement for a killing spree that left six people dead has asked for a new lawyer so he can consider withdrawing his guilty pleas.

KIRO-TV reports that on Wednesday, Skagit County Superior Court Judge Michael Rickert ordered a new lawyer to take a look at Isaac Zamora’s case and report back in 45 days.

Zamora’s mother tells KIRO she thinks her son is afraid he’ll be moved from Western State Hospital to the general prison population.

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Last November, Zamora pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, among other charges. He was sent to the mental hospital but the terms of his plea agreement provide that he would be sent to prison if released from Western State.

In a letter written in March, Zamora said he didn’t realize the consequences of his plea.

The victims in his Sept. 2, 2008, killing spree included a Skagit County sheriff’s deputy.

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