PORT ANGELES — Detectives believe that Noe Barron Cordova shot another man in the head at point-blank range, then placed a knife in the man’s hand to make the shooting look like self-defense.
Cordova, 29, of Forks — who authorities believe is a Mexican national and is in the country illegally — was charged on Friday with second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the April 4 shooting death of Robert Coberly Jr., 46, of Forks.
Cordova pleaded not guilty to the charges in Clallam County Superior Court.
Deputy Prosecutor Bruce Hanify said that investigators initially believed Coberly had attacked Cordova at his residence at 41 King’s Ranch Road and that Cordova shot him in self-defense.
He had been charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Federal immigration authorities had asked that Cordova be transferred to their custody.
Investigators with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department, however, asked that he stay in local custody until the investigation closed, according to court documents.
Judge George Wood set Cordova’s bail at $1 million. He remained in Clallam County jail.