Defendant Accused of Lawyer Pencil Stabbings Is Found Guilty of Murdering an Acquaintance
A defendant accused of stabbing three of his lawyers with pencils and a fourth with a pen was convicted of murder on Wednesday after a trial in which he was restrained and seated away from his defense attorney.
Joshua Monson of Washington state was accused of shooting and killing an acquaintance after they smoked methamphetamine together, the Herald reports. Monson took the stand and denied the crime.
During the two-week trial, Monson was strapped to his chair and his right hand was shackled, the story says. Courtroom furniture was strategically placed so the jurors couldn’t see the restraints.
The story sets the scene before the verdict was read. “Monson shook his attorney’s hand, thanking him,” the Herald says. “During the exchange, a corrections officer kept a firm grip on Monson’s forearm.”
