Aaron Ybarra pleads not guilty to SPU shooting
Jun 23, 2014, 8:33 AM | Updated: 11:56 am
The man accused of killing one student and wounding two others in a shooting at Seattle Pacific University pleaded not guilty in court Monday.
Aaron Ybarra, 26, is charged with first degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of assault.
If convicted of all charges, Ybarra could face a sentence of up to 86 years in prison. King County prosecutors say they will seek a life sentence.
In court, a deputy King County prosecutor announced that the state was adding a third count of attempted murder, based on Ybarra’s statement that he pointed his shotgun at another student and pulled the trigger but it wouldn’t fire. After interviewing that student, prosecutors added the fifth felony count.
Ybarra’s defense attorney says they will pursue “not guilty by reason of insanity” when the case heads to trial. His lawyer, Ramona Brandes, has said her client has a long history of mental issues.
The June 5 shooting killed student Paul Lee of Portland.
In court Monday morning, SPU student Natalie Pimblett said Lee was her friend and she wanted to follow the case. She called it “surreal” to see Ybarra close-up.
“We miss him a lot and he’s a good guy and he didn’t deserve what happened to him,” said Pimblett outside the courtroom.
Ybarra was subdued by student security monitor Jon Meis.
The judge ordered Ybarra to still be held without bail. A judge set another court session for Sept. 10.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
