Local Law enforcement officers sit behind Richard Rotter awaiting Monday’s Jury Verdict
“Guilty” was the verdict on Monday in the case of slain Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Bruce Weiss read the counts one by one “We the jury find the defendant Richard Rotter guilty of the crime of murder in the first degree.”
The 51-year-old Rotter showed no emotion as the punishment awaiting him mounted “We the jury return a special verdict” that’s Special circumstances along with aggravated enhancement that likely means he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison.
“This is an emotional day for the Everett Police Department” Police Chief Dan Templeman met with reporters outside the courthouse 30-minutes after the verdict “No verdict is gonna ever change that we’ve lost one of our own.”
It was March 25th of last year when Rotter was spotted by Rocha in the parking lot of a Starbucks moving drugs and firearms from one car to another. The officer confronted the convicted felon, a struggle followed and Rotter shot Rocha five times before driving over his body as he sped from the crime scene.
“Good day?” Northwest Newsradio’s John Lobertini asked Sergeant Jeff Pountain, a friend and colleague, “You are correct, (but) mixed emotions. Now the family can continue on their healing process. That’s the most important thing and same with us.”
Rotter’s lawyer questioned his mental health during the trial citing drug use and PTSD from a car accident years ago. But prosecutors called the shooting a calculated attempt to avoid a return to prison.
Justice was swift “Individuals out in our community that are intent on harming police officers” the jury deliberated for just 4-hours and Chief Templeman wants this verdict to stand for something “Those crimes need to be taken seriously and our prosecutors clearly demonstrated that this is a serious crime.”
Fellow officers packed the courtroom in what has become a familiar show of solidarity.
A sentencing hearing for Richard Rotter is set for April 17th.
