EVERETT — An Everett murder suspect was strapped down to a chair during a court hearing Monday.
Joshua Monson also had a new attorney next to him.
Monson, 27, allegedly stabbed his last two attorneys with pencils that he smuggled from his jail cell. The lawyers were not seriously inju
red.
The first incident happened during jury selection last week. Monson was scheduled to go to trial for a 2010 drug charge. He allegedly reached across the table and stabbed defense attorney Tom Cox in the neck. County corrections officers quickly subdued Monson.
The attack came as a shock to Cox, who said that he and Monson had a good working relationship.
Cox resigned from the case a few days later.
Monson was back in court Friday afternoon. That’s when he allegedly stabbed his new attorney, Gurjit Pandher, with a smuggled pencil.
Monson appeared on Monday via video from the jail. Corrections officers waited until all the other defendants left the room and wheeled Monson in front of the camera. His wrists were strapped to the arms of the chair. Restraints also were looped under his arms and over his shoulders. Aside from frequently contorting his face, Monson remained relatively still during Monday’s hearing. His newest attorney, Jesse Cantor, asked that another court hearing be scheduled May 24. He said he may ask that Monson be evaluated by doctors at Western State Hospital to determine if he’s competent to stand trial.
Prosecutors are expected to file a motion to ask that Monson be restrained during all of his pretrial court hearings.
Monson is charged with second-degree murder in the Jan. 2 shooting death of Brian Jones.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
