SEATTLE — The defense for a man accused of killing one Seattle police officer and wounding another in 2009 has already cost $3.7 million and the case doesn’t go to trial until this fall.
King County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Christopher Monfort if he is convicted of aggravated murder and attempted murder in the shooting death of Officer Timothy Brenton, who lived in Marysville, and wounding of Officer Brit Sweeney.
Defense lawyers have indicated the 45-year-old Monfort plans to plead guilty by reason of insanity. They say that makes jury selection this September the most important part of the case.
The Seattle Times reported they plan to spend more than $60,000 on a jury consultant to help select fair-minded jurors capable of hearing a capital punishment case.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.