Ferndale first-degree murder trial delayed as witness waits for coronavirus test result
The trial for a Ferndale man who allegedly beat his father to death with a hammer and left the body in a garage for more than a week has been delayed due to a witness being tested for COVID-19.
Christopher Gregory Koop, 42, was supposed to be on trial Monday, March 9 in Whatcom County Superior Court for first-degree murder (domestic violence) related to the death of his father, 65-year-old William Koop.
On Monday, Whatcom County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Evan Jones informed the court that a material witness for the state was in self-quarantine after being tested for the novel coronavirus. The witness, who had recently returned from Southeast Asia, is expected to get their results back within two to four days.
Koop’s trial was delayed one week and is now expected to start Monday, March 16. Some pre-trial motions may still be handled this week, Jones said.
The most recent delay is one in a series of many that have stalled Koop’s case for nearly three years. His trial has been rescheduled nearly 18 times, including a three month period in late 2019 where Koop’s case was on hold pending a competency evaluation, court records show. Koop was later declared competent to stand trial on Dec. 5, 2019, court records state.
He is presenting a general denial defense at trial. Koop has been incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail since his arrest on April 26, 2017.
Whatcom County Medical Examiner Dr. Gary Goldfogel determined William Koop bled to death due to cranial fractures caused by blunt force blows from a weapon. Goldfogel ruled his death a homicide.
