Defendant in Alger shooting rampage curses judge

MOUNT VERNON — A lawyer for the man charged in a Skagit County shooting rampage that left six dead suggests people shouldn't put much stock in his client's claims of guilt.

Skagit County public defender Keith Tyne said today that it's "abundantly clear" that Isaac Zamora has significant mental health issues that will be a major feature in the case.

Zamora was charged this week with 20 felony counts — among them, six counts of aggravated first-degree murder, which could bring the death penalty. His shooting rampage Sept. 2 in and around the northwest Washington town of Alger left six people dead, including a sheriff's deputy, and four wounded.

The Skagit Valley Herald reported that Isaac Zamora said "guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty" as he entered Skagit County Superior Court for a brief hearing Tuesday. He added, "Can you hear me? I'm guilty."

Zamora also cursed Judge Mike Rickert as Rickert read the charges against him.

When asked by Rickert if he was 28, Zamora answered, "Who knows these days?" Advised that the charges carry the possibility of life in prison or death, Zamora said, "Take death."

During his first court appearance on Sept. 5, Zamora said, "I kill for God, I listen to God."

Zamora is charged in the deaths of Deputy Anne Jackson, 40; Chester Rose, 58; Julie Binschus, 48; Greg Gillum, 38; David Radcliffe, 58; and Leroy Lange, 64. Prosecutors also charged him with six counts of attempted murder, including the shooting of a State Patrol trooper who pursued him.

His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 9, but Tyne said today that could be postponed.