Snohomish County (WA) Superior Court Judge David Kurtz has ruled that Joshua Monson has forfeited his right to an attorney and must represent himself.
This, after Monson, who is on trial for methamphetamine possession, allegedly stabbed his third defense attorney last Tuesday.
He stabbed his first attorney with a pencil in May of this year. After being ruled competent to stand trial, Monson was given a second lawyer, whom he promptly stabbed, again with a pencil, a few days later. None of the lawyers were seriously injured.
STOP GIVING THIS GUY FUCKING PENCILS!!!!!
Witnesses say Monson, who was barred from bringing any writing instruments into court with him, grabbed attorney Jesse Cantor’s pen and stabbed him in the head, possibly while aiming for his neck.
Arlington police Officer Michael Sargent, assisted by Snohomish County corrections officers, managed to restrain Monson.
An electric stun cuff he was wearing was also activated moments before the attack.
Prior to the trial, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Christo Sedgewick sought to have Monson’s ankles restrained with leather shackles, but Cantor convinced Judge Kurtz that restraints might affect the outcome of the proceedings.
Following last week’s incident, the judge ordered Monson restrained for the duration of the trial. Monson expressed concern at that, saying “How can they fairly judge me when they see me in a chair like this?”
Monson is also charged with second-degree murder in connection with the January 2nd shooting of Brian Jones, as well two counts of fourth-degree assault for stabbing his lawyers. That number will likely change given the most recent incident.
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