Murder trial of Forks man delayed again

PORT ANGELES — The trial of a Forks man accused of premeditated murder has been continued for the second time.

Etienne Choquette, 46, whose trial was to begin Monday, is now scheduled to stand trial Oct. 11.

Prosecutors requested the continuance because the report from a mental health evaluator done by the defense has not been received by them.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“The evaluation is finished, but we do not yet have the report,” said deputy prosecutor Ann Lundwall.

Lundwall said depending on the results of the report, the state might request its own mental evaluation of Choquette but couldn’t make that decision until the report was in.

Choquette, who has pleaded not guilty, remains in Clallam County jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Forks police said he shot Antonio Rodriguez Maldonado, 33, about 11 p.m. Sept. 24 — first in the upper body, then in the back of the head.

The .38-caliber revolver was found in the Quillayute River, where police said Choquette threw it.

Rodriguez Maldonado’s former girlfriend, Kellie L. White, 32, also of Forks, originally was arrested on investigation of conspiracy to commit murder.

Police have said she allegedly told Choquette at least five times that she wanted Rodriguez Maldonado dead.

Police also said Choquette told them White had said Rodriguez Maldonado had assaulted her the same day Choquette killed him.

Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly has said there was not enough evidence to convict White on the conspiracy charge.

If convicted and if he has no prior felonies, Choquette could be sentenced 20 to 20 ½ years and fined up to $50,000.

The maximum sentence is life in prison.

The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

More in News

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy