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.
“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.
