Global Courant 2023-04-18 07:18:37
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — The man who shot and killed a police officer in Everett, Washington, was sentenced Monday last year to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Richard Rotter, 51, apologized during his sentencing for the murder of officer Dan Rocha, 41, in a Starbucks parking lot in Everett, about 30 miles north of Seattle, as Rocha tried to arrest him, the Daily Herald reported.
“My sincere apologies to the Rocha family and my family and everyone affected by this,” Rotter said. “I pray for everyone’s continued healing and peace restored. I ask you and everyone (to) please forgive me.”
At sentencing, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Bruce I. Weiss called the fatal shooting a “brutal execution.”
The courtroom was packed with Everett police, the city’s mayor and others.
Earlier this month, a jury found Rotter guilty of aggravated first degree murder, unlawful possession of weapons, possession with intent to produce or distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin, and attempting to evade police.
Rocha was on duty March 25, 2022, and was waiting for a cup of coffee when he saw Rocha moving guns between two cars in the parking lot, prosecutors said. Rotter, of Kennewick, Washington, had traveled to Everett where he planned to buy a car, court documents said.
Turning on his body camera, Rocha calmly engaged Rotter, asking for his identification, according to court documents. Rocha learned that Rotter had previous felony convictions and was banned from having weapons, the documents say. He also learned that an arrest warrant had been issued against him.
Rocha tried to take Rotter into custody, according to court documents, but Rotter shot Rocha five times with a gun he had hidden in a shoulder holster. Rocha had patted Rotter’s waistband, but had not found Rotter’s firearm, according to court documents. Rocha died on the spot.
Rotter then fled in a car and was arrested nearby after causing a three-vehicle accident.
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Rotter’s public defender, Natalie Tarantino, has said her client had “no plan” to kill, but a combination of drug use and post-traumatic stress led him to shoot Rocha.
Court records show that Rotter was previously convicted of crimes, including a dozen felonies, mostly in southeastern Washington. Many of those cases were related to illegal drugs and several involved evading police, according to court records.
Rocha’s sister, Morgen Henry, said in court that her brother was devoted, supportive and a natural protector.
