Accused police killer launches tirade in court
Christopher Monfort, accused of killing Brenton in cold blood on Oct. 31, lashed out against Paul Schene, the former King County deputy accused in a well-publicized November 2008 holding cell beating incident.
In his outburst, Monfort compared Schene to Adolf Hitler, and then referred to "the savage beating of Malika Calhoun," the teenage girl who was beaten in the holding cell incident.
Investigators believe that the holding cell beating, which was captured on videotape and broadcast widely across TV and the Internet, prompted Monfort's attack on Officer Brenton and his partner.
In his outburst, Monfort said the beating was "indicative of a larger problem in our society."
Monfort then launched into a rambling rant about the founding fathers, the Constitution and "the price of freedom." He spoke from the wheelchair he's been confined to ever since he was shot while trying to escape from police.
Monfort's defense attorney, Julie Lawry, urged him to keep quiet.
"Don't do this, don't do this," she repeated at the start of his nearly eight-minute outburst, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
 Officer Tim Brenton is seen in an undated photo provided by Seattle Police. |
Monfort kept talking.
"There's a reason there's gun powder and explosion on the fourth of July to remind us we're in charge... Freedom is not free. I am speaking with a lisp right now. The side of my face is paralyzed. I can't walk. I'm dead from the waist down. Freedom is not free. It requires sacrifice," Monfort said.
Monfort went on, "...from time to time we must maintain that. Freedom of press is as important as the air that we breathe."
All of this happened before the judge walked in - and before court started. Once the judge entered the courtroom, Monfort did not speak again.
Meanwhile, the accused killer's mother sat in the King County courtroom with her head in her hands.
Monfort has been charged with one count of aggravated first-degree murder in connection with Brenton's shooting death on Halloween night as he sat in his patrol car with a junior officer.
He also faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly shooting at the junior officer on the same night, and also taking aim at two other officers on the day of his arrest.
In addition, Monfort is charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Oct. 22 firebombing of four Seattle police vehicles at a city maintenance yard.
Monfort has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Montfort's main reason for being in court Thursday - was for the judge to hear arguments as to whether or not documents in the investigation should be released.
The Seattle Times asked for the documents to be disclosed - both the prosecution and defense argued against that. The judge will review the file and additional information he needs from attorneys before making a decision in April.
Monfort's outburst in court: