Trial delayed for Mount Vernon shooting suspects

MOUNT VERNON – The murder trial of Ernesto Rivas and Austin Gonzales has been delayed to June 5.

The month delay was requested Thursday by Rivas’ lawyer in Skagit County Superior Court.

Rivas, 44, and Gonzales, 16, are being tried as co-defendants on charges stemming from a pair of Dec. 15 shootings that wounded Mount Vernon police officer Mike “Mick” McClaughry and another man.

Gonzales is being charged as an adult for allegedly shooting a man in the neck in the area of North LaVenture Road in Mount Vernon, court documents state.

Rivas is being charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder – one for allegedly shooting McClaughry in the head and the other for the shooting with which Gonzales is charged, according to court documents.

Rivas’ lawyer, Tammy Candler, said Rivas would have preferred to keep his original trial date of May 8, but the defense required more time to interview witnesses and otherwise prepare for trial.

Judge Brian Stiles granted Candler’s request, saying it was in the interest of justice to give Rivas’ team the time it needed.

Gonzales’ lawyer, Robert Butler, said his client would go along with the continuance for now, but that he may need to request to have Gonzales’ case severed from Rivas’ if a trial isn’t held soon.