Whacker Crimes on the Rise

I remember just after learning to drive there was a string of assaults committed against women driving at night near our suburban home.  Not only were the crimes brazen – the perpetrator selected his intended victims as they drove by. He would then would follow them to a less populated or traveled area before assaulting them.  All of that was bad enough, but the most chilling thing to me was the method the assailant used to gain access to these women.  He posed as a cop. 

Over the course of a summer the rumors flew, and police spokespersons confirmed that several such attacks were reported.  At first I thought they were just rumors, but after two or three attacks, police realized they had to warn the public and provide some guidance.  Police advised motorists who were uncertain about whether the man attempting to pull them over was indeed a sworn officer to drive to a public place such as a grocery store, police station, etc., before pulling over.  It was frightening to all of the girls in my drivers ed. class, and regardless of the guidance police offered they wouldn’t really begin to feel safe until the assailant was captured. 

Eventually the assailant was captured – in a decommissioned police patrol car which he had outfitted with lights in the front grill and siren.  We all breathed a sigh of relief, but I think it was some years before most of us stopped thinking about it when we saw a traffic stop.  When I went to college the next year, I was studying in the library one night when I remembered the series of crimes and got curious how often it happened.  Looking at microfilm and microfiche of newspaper articles around the country allowed me to get an idea, though it was much more time-consuming than Googling.  I found stories in Houston, Dallas, San  Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, Tulsa and Sacramento in addition to the series in the Seattle area.  In fact, I found articles from all of those cities detailing crimes which had occurred just in the decade of the seventies.  It was the first time I gave thought to the phenomenon that would eventually come to be known as “Wackers” – people posing as cops.

Recently, this came back to mind as a result of the murder for which Christopher Monfort has been arrested.  He had sought to become an officer in Los Angeles, and had studied criminal justice back in Seattle before becoming somehow violently disillusioned with police – so disillusioned that he apparently tried to kill random officers in two separate planned attacks – the murder of officer Tim Brenton and wounding of Officer Britt Sweeny – as well as the attempt to kill or injure officers responding to a decoy arson at the city maintenance lot.  Monfort drove a decommissioned former police black Crown Victoria, a car commonly used in police service nationwide.  Monfort was angry and frustrated, he said, with police brutality.  He cited the deputy since dismissed and charged with assault on a teenage girl in a holding cell in the letter he left at the scene of the arson. 

Christopher Monfort’s Datsun, which was used in the murder of officer Brenton, and his black Crown Vic with spotlight (penned in by an SPD unmarked)

This behavior made me think of a coworker some years ago who was a real hardcore wacker.  He drove an ex-police car, had a ‘replica’ badge, handcuffs, black tactical clothing, gloves and boots consistent with tactical police teams, and spoke frequently about his firearm prowess and the times he had felt compelled to take some action to promote orderly society.  At the time I thought his behavior was kind of sad, in the way we all can be kind of pathetic when we insist on being something we aren’t.  Some of us have rather harmless ways to manifest this – like telling people what a ladies man we are, or how much we can bench, or how big the fish we catch were.  In his case, it was both sad and creepy.  Especially since Ted Bundy was in the news a lot then, while on trial in Florida.  Handcuffs in the trunk didn’t seem harmless after that.  As far as I know, the wacker I worked with really was harmless.  The case of Christopher Monfort reminded me of this, and again today the news of criminals posing as police officers to commit crimes made the news in Seattle.

Recently, a series of crimes in Seattle and Tacoma have involved perpetrators posing as cops.  Most have been property crimes, small and not-so-small.  One included robbery and rape.  Seattle television station KING’s Chris Ingalls reported today on this topic, and outlined a group of crimes that certainly seem to indicate that there are multiple criminals using this ploy right now in the Seattle area.  The report can be read here: KING 5 News: Police Posers.  The story also links to a website which discusses wacker events – crimes by police imposters committed around the country:  http://policeposers.com/. 

In addition to recommendations made when I was young  (drive to a well-lit, public place before stopping), police today recommend calling 911 on a cell phone to verify that the officer stopping you is indeed an officer.  If you’re being stopped by an unmarked car, you can request a marked police unit to respond and make the stop – Pierce County Police have suggested this in response to some serious robberies and a rape committed using an unmarked vehicle recently.

Technorati Tags: Cop Wannabe,Police Imposter,Crime,True Crime,Seattle Crime,Seattle True Crime,Christopher Monfort

First-Year Police Officer Britt Sweeny Ready to Return to Duty, Honor Fallen Comrade

I think most of us have idly thought at some point about how we would react if we were involved in a shooting incident.  Maybe not as the shooter, but perhaps because of a news story or television show or movie, the thought came unbidden.  We can’t really know until we know, as the saying goes, and may I add that I don’t want to know.  When Officer Britt Sweeny – on her second night with training officer Tim Brenton (#6699) – was faced with just that situation she learned, as the rest of the police force and the city learned how she would react.  Her partner was killed instantly, and without hesitation Officer Sweeny radioed the call for help “shots fired”, and she jumped from the patrol car and returned fire.  When detectives found the car used in the attack they also found that one of Officer Sweeny’s slugs had hit the fleeing vehicle.  How terrible it is that Officer Sweeny had to learn firsthand and unequivocally of her mettle, created by an internal strength that cannot be taught.  She will say that her training is responsible for her actions, and to an extent that is true.  It is also no doubt true that she reacted in a split second to a threat, called instantly for aid, and still managed to step out of the patrol car and return fire.  I’m sure there were many veterans, fine officers all, who privately wondered if they’d have responded so brilliantly in the same circumstances.  How sad that Officer Sweeny, in her first year as an officer, has had to learn what she has learned about herself.  I am certain she’d have loved to be one of those officers who have never fired their gun on duty.  But that wasn’t Officer Sweeny’s lot.  She drew a very short stick – only Officer Brenton’s was shorter – in a very high stakes situation, and she mastered it.  I believe that training is excellent.  It is exceeded in excellence by this officer and her sense of duty, and her courage.

Technorati Tags: Officer Brit Sweeny,Officer Tim Brenton,Christopher John Monfort,Seattle Crime,Seattle True Crime,Crime,Criminals,Seattle Policeman Murdered

Local News | Rookie ready to 'fight the fight,' return to duty after officer's fatal shooting | Seattle Times Newspaper

Seattle Prosecutor Enumerates Five Charges Against Accused Cop-killer

In a press conference held just blocks from where Christopher John Monfort remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition at Harborview Medical Center, the trauma center for the Seattle area, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg enumerated five charges he expects to bring against Monfort.  “The death penalty is reserved for the worst of the worst.  Killing a police officer falls within my definition of the worst of the worst crimes.” Satterberg said.  The charges are aggravated first degree  murder, three counts of attempted murder – for the attempt on the life of Officer Britt Sweeny, the try at killing officers responding to the first fire bomb by detonating a second bomb, and for the incident when detectives approached him to question him and he responded by drawing a pistol and pulling the trigger.  He had forgotten to charge the chamber in his sixteen shot Glock, and only that prevented Homicide Detective Sergeant Gary Nelson from being shot in the face.  The final charge will be for arson at the maintenance yard.

At this point the prosecutor will be delayed in making a determination if Monfort is eligible for the death penalty.  An evaluation of mental state will need to be completed and Monfort’s recuperation will need to progress before an arraignment can take place.  It may well be next spring before the death penalty determination is made.

According to SeattleCrime.com’s Brian Slodysko, Satterberg also mentioned another item found in Monfort’s apartment, in addition to the bombs, fire bombs, bobby traps, rifles and handguns:  child pornography.  I missed that tidbit.  I didn't think I could like the accused less, but of course I could and can.  I wonder if his mother will say that the police planted it?  Like they fire bombed their own command vehicle and squad cars, nearly killing officers and then planted in Monfort’s apartment bomb-making materials linked to the maintenance yard arson? 

Documents included in the filing of charges contained the full text of the letter left at the maintenance yard fire bombing:

“October 22nd is the 14th National day of protest to stop police brutality. These Deaths are dedicated to Deputy Travis Bruner, he stood by and did nothing, as Deputy Paul Schene Brutally beat and Unarmed 14 year old Girl in their care. You Swear a Solemn Oath to Protect US from All Harm, That includes You ! Start policing each other or get ready to attend a lot of police funerals.

We Pay your bills.

You Work for us.”

According to Satterberg, and clearly shown by the photographs of Monfort’s apartment, the accused murderer had made his home into a bunker from which he could make a stand should police identify him.  Satterberg referred to Monfort as a “one man war” in the making, had he not been apprehended.

 

Technorati Tags: Christopher John Monfort,Murder,Seattle Crime,Seattle True Crime,True Crime,Criminals

 

 

Murder Suspect’s Last Known Interaction with Seattle Police.

From Seattlecrime.com today comes video of the traffic stop I have referred to in prior posts.  Monfort, the accused murderer, was stopped while driving repeatedly through a neighborhood when he failed to signal.  The officer approached the car, thinking he may be lost and intending to help the guy out.  When he asked, “Do you know where you’re going today?” Monfort replied, “Do you?”  The officer asked for his identification and registration and gave Monfort another chance, but was again met with a rude and hostile answer.  At that point the officer cited Monfort for failing to signal and expired insurance and sent him on his way.  Days later, Monfort would fire bomb the Seattle Police Maintenance Yard, and nine days later he would ambush Officers Brenton and Sweeny.  To watch and hear the traffic stop, it can be found here:  http://seattlecrime.com/2009/11/10/i-dont-think-i-want-to-give-you-my-phone-number

Monfort continues to be in serious condition with gunshot wounds to the cheek and stomach.  Prosecutors have 72 hours from today’s hearing to charge Monfort, and the office is considering an aggravated first degree murder charge, which could net Monfort the death penalty.  If ultimately found guilty and given a death sentence, it will no longer be necessary for Seattle Police Officers or the rest of us to wonder if Monfort knows where he is going. 

There is an outstanding summary of the police news conference, which outlined a lot of information about Monfort’s movements and activities in the weeks before the attacks.  As I and others speculated, on the night he was shot, police moved very methodically into Monfort’s cars and apartments.  It was a good choice for many reasons, not least because he had bobby-trapped the apartment:

Police sent in a robot and then the bomb squad to deal with what they called ‘one-step above crude’ bomb-making.  Another tidbit from the news conference was the sequence at the maintenance yard.  Monfort planted multiple devices, then set off the device on the Mobile Command Unit as a decoy.  Officers responded and approached the command unit, at which time the secondary devices detonated.  It was a fortunate thing that officers were not quite near enough to be killed, but it was a very near-miss.  SeattleCrime.com has the post Anatomy of a Murder here, and it has excellent reporting and writing as has come to be expected of  Jonah Spangenthal-Lee : 

http://seattlecrime.com/2009/11/09/anatomy-of-a-murder

Technorati Tags: Seattle Police Murder,Christopher John Monfort,Seattle True Crime,True Crime,Officer Tim Brenton,Death Penalty

Ballistics, Touch DNA and Plans to Kill More

Suspected murderer Christopher John Monfort intended to kill more than one officer, and has been connected by ballistics, DNA and materials used in making bombs to both the fire bombing at the Seattle Police Maintenance Lot and the murder/assault of Officer Tim Brenton and Britt Sweeny.  Monfort’s DNA was found on both a small American flag left at the scene of the arson, as well as on a flag bandana left at the scene of the shootings.  The Datsun B210 found near Montfort’s apartment had a bullet from Officer Britt Sweeny’s weapon embedded within the body.  A .223 rifle found in Monfort’s apartment matched exactly the rounds fired at Brenton and Sweeny.  It is believed that the prosecution is preparing aggravated first degree murder charges, in addition to others related to the assault and bombing.  First degree murder with aggravating circumstances opens the door to the death penalty under Washington State law.  If it isn’t used in this case I can’t think of a case which would merit the ultimate penalty.

Technorati Tags: True Crime,Crime,Seattle Police Officer Shot,Seattle,Seattle Crime,Shots fired,Manhunt,Christopher John Monfort,Officer Tim Brenton

Threatening Note Takes on Greater Significance in Retrospect

A note left at the Seattle Police maintenance lot just nine days before the murder of Officer Tim Brenton and the wounding of Officer Britt Sweeny is taking on some added significance for many.  The note was left at the lot along with a flier about police brutality, and it included a threat that there would be loss of life on the police force.  Many are wondering whether the Seattle Police Department could have provided officers better warning to be on alert prior to the Halloween night ambush – particularly some officers themselves. 

I wonder how many threats the department becomes aware of each year?  In this instance, it would be human nature to expect an arsonist or firebomber to carry out a threat – if ever – by using a firebomb or pipe bomb.  Typically a killer that will use a detached method of killing will not later choose a more ‘up-close’ method.  In this case, it now looks like this will indeed be that unusual circumstance where the original crime was carried out on property using a fire bomb, but the crime which carried out a threat to kill was carried out using a rifle. 

Over at SeattleCrime.com, there are rumors of some grumbling by Seattle Police officers, who feel that the department didn’t do all it could to protect officers from the specific threat to kill a policeman which was left at the location of the fire bombing October 22.  I was particularly interested in a comment made by a reader there, who indicated that through listening to the scanner regularly he thought that the department may have taken the threat to be significant, but expected it to be carried out by use of a firebomb and not a gun.  He cites examples where SPD was extremely cautious with situations where suspicious packages or barrels were discovered.  It is an argument that resonates with me, for the reason I mentioned earlier in this post:  killers seldom progress from poison or arson to guns, knives or hands in committing a murder.  I think the commenter is correct in his statement that SPD probably took the threat seriously, but never expected it to be carried out with a rifle instead of a bomb or fire bomb. 

Beyond that, I will be surprised if there are not threats made on officers every week – we already knew of two in addition to the one left by Monfort, and those were in the days just before the attack at 29th and Yesler.  I doubt that the department could change deployment practices to protect the officers in response to very many threats.  The officers already wear protective equipment, and are trained to be alert to any potential threat.  Prior to an act that is unprecedented in post-war Seattle, it would be an almost unforeseeable event that a man would ambush and murder officers in their patrol car.  Looking back, we all wish they would have somehow known to take this threat seriously.  I hope that with the shooting and arrest of Monfort we will have seen the last of this type of attack. 

Suspect Christopher John Monfort remains in serious condition and under police guard at Harborview Medical Center.  His mother and aunt have traveled from Alaska to Seattle and have asked John Henry Browne, a well-known Seattle criminal defense attorney, to help them with the case.  At this point neither Browne or family members have been allowed to see Monfort.

Technorati Tags: Seattle police Officer Shot,Tim Brenton,Christopher John Monfort,Murder,Crime,True Crime,Seattle True Crime

Person of Interest in Seattle Police Officer Shot

Just minutes after the memorial service for Officer Tim Brenton concluded, Seattle Police Detectives shot and critically wounded a 41 year old man they believe to be the man who both shot officers Brenton and Sweeny as well as torching four police cars at a maintenance lot on October 22.  The man, Christopher Monfort, a recent UW student and former security guard, is alternately described as being gregarious or withdrawn according to a number of people who knew him and spoke with reporters. 

Monfort graduated from the University of Washington in 2008 and studied Law, Society and Justice.  He participated in the McNair Scholars Program which is designed to prepare students for graduate work.  According to the Seattle Times he worked on a paper advocating jury nullification as a means to level the playing field for minorities.  He intended to expand on the ideas of a law professor from Georgetown University, Paul Butler, who goes as far as advocating that juries reject judges instructions and acquit black defendants without regard to the evidence.  Butler has even stated that it is the duty of black jurors to “emancipate” some black “outlaws”.  Butler at least included a caveat that the persons a jury should acquit even if guilty ought to be charged with non-violent crimes.

Monfort apparently had a significant interest in the justice system, and particularly in changing it through jury activism.  He had difficulty his first attempt at college, but according to a former professor when he returned to college he did very well, having found a subject that interested him:  criminal justice.  Recently Monfort had worked as a truck driver and a waiter, and volunteered at Youth Services, working with young people in trouble and teaching them about the justice system.  I wonder what he was teaching them and will be interested to hear the accounts of some young people he worked with there.  He was recently laid off as a security guard .  He has been described as gregarious, and was seen as a leader by students and professors at Highline Community College, which he attended prior to the University of Washington.  Others have called him withdrawn.  One former landlady said that he had never had a visitor to his apartment in the year he lived in her home.  She also said that he wanted to be a police officer.

Police received a tip from a citizen on Friday, after releasing photos of the Datsun B210 (1980-1983 model years) and soliciting the public’s help in locating it.  There are eighteen light colored B210 models from those model years, and police had checked on each of them.  When they did not find a suspect through the vehicles registered in Washington, Seattle Police decided to release the photos in the hope that someone would have noticed a car matching the description and photo.  It didn’t take long, as police received a tip that a man living in an apartment complex in Tukwila had such a car, and had kept it covered under a canvas car cover since Halloween night. 

(Screen cap of images from KOMO News helicopter)

Monfort had been under surveillance most of the day Friday, and it was when he left his apartment just minutes after the conclusion of the memorial service for Officer Tim Brenton that Seattle police approached him.  KING 5 News is reporting that it was actually Seattle Swat that approached Monfort when he exited his apartment building.  Monfort turned and ran, and when he realized he was blocked from escape he turned and attempted to shoot officers with a handgun.  Three Seattle Police Officers returned fire, hitting Monfort in the head and possibly elsewhere.  I noted a large pool of blood on the lower left side of Monfort’s back as he was laying on the ground waiting for an ambulance.  A Harborview spokesperson indicated that he had two injuries, though some accounts only mention the head wound.  Seattle Police virtually locked down Harborview when the man was brought there, protecting the suspected killer from any citizen who might have been outraged by his actions – judging from the comments in a variety of news sources, there is a tremendous sense of anger directed at the shooter of Officer Brenton.  He remains at Harborview under custody.

Monfort made different impressions on various people.  A former professor at Highline Community College described him as a natural leader, and said he had expected Monfort to do well, to do important things.  He expressed shock at the idea that Monfort was a murderer, let alone the assassin of Officer Brenton.    At highline he was outgoing and engaged with others, running for, and winning a seat in the student senate.  Several people who have lived in the same building with Monfort have described him as being ‘weird’ and a ‘know-it-all, and his former landlady in Pasadena indicated that he wanted to be an LA Police Officer but was unable to get hired.  It appears at this point that Monfort had a different way about him when he was at work or studying as opposed to when he was at home. 

He fits the police profile in a few ways:

• He had experienced a recent personal crisis when he was laid off as a security guard. 
• He had wanted to be a policeman and drove a car associated with police use – note the Crown Victoria parked next to the Datsun.  The black Crown Vic has a searchlight on the drivers side and is hard to distinguish from the police Crown Vic parked just behind the cars, blocking them in.
• He worked in a security job – something the profile indicated he would possibly do.
• He engaged in behaviors that neighbors noticed.  It was the combination of the new cover on his Datsun and his strange behavior that ultimately got police a tip.  Several neighbors have described him as weird, different, etc. He had made a strange impression on another when he was asked to lower the volume on his electric guitar last week.  Strange impressions do not, of course, make a person a killer, but if you are a killer it can sure get you noticed.
• I am not sure that Monfort fits this element of the profile – that the suspect would be overly interested in the news of the Brenton case – but I have a feeling he was indeed following the story closely.  Why?  Because he exited his apartment as the memorial service for officer Brenton concluded.  Leaving his apartment on Friday at that time (he’d not been out all day) is just too much of a coincidence for me.  I think he was watching the memorial on television.

No word yet this morning about Monfort’s condition at Harborview, but he was in surgery for many hours last night and had been in critical condition at the update from Harborview.  Police waited for a search warrant to look over the Datsun, and likely the Crown Vic associated with Monfort.  No word on his weapons history or proficiency, at least not yet.  He had no criminal record in Washington or in California.  There is also no known motive yet, though he was vocal that police disproportionally target blacks, and wanted juries to start releasing black offenders to compensate for the alleged targeting of blacks over whites in criminal activities.  When he was unable to get hired as an officer, and lost his job as a security guard, perhaps Monfort became angry at police.

There is also a growing belief that Monfort was the person who fire bombed the Seattle Police maintenance yard in October.  A note left at that scene threatened to kill a police officer in retaliation for alleged police brutality.  The note cited the case of a King County Sherriff’s deputy who recently was fired and prosecuted for assaulting a prisoner in his custody.  If indeed Monfort was the firebomber, then clearly he has made a study of pipe bombs, and likely firearms as well.

It was a sad day yesterday, and the sense of loss Seattle expressed over the death of a good man, the sadness of his family and friends, the anxiety the murder of Officer Brenton caused law enforcement throughout the area all weighed heavy on a gloomy and stormy day.  If Monfort is the cause of all that sadness and loss, then I am glad the police were able to find him.  The day was a little brighter when I noticed several times officers leaving the memorial service for Officer Brenton giving each other high-fives.  Minutes later, news of the shooting in Tukwila began, and I got to a television as quickly as possible.  Few of us who are not wearing a badge are capable of empathizing with the daily experience of policemen.  Most of the time, they see us at our worst in life, and seldom at our best.  Adding to that, this week, was the grief of loss and high-alert required while a person who ambushed and murdered a policeman remained at large.  I hope that the family of Officer Brenton will ultimately find peace, and if capturing the man who killed their father and husband, son and brother can give them some solace.

Update 1 (Nov. 7):

Christopher John Monfort has been upgraded to serious condition at Harborview.  They may be saving his life to preserve him for trial and perhaps a death sentence.  Of course, medical personnel have a duty to save every life, and police are guarding Monfort professionally despite what must be strong feelings.  Let’s hope the case is made and Monfort receives the sentence he deserves, if indeed he is the murderer.  A friend of Monfort’s mother, who cannot believe he would do this, has said that she thinks he was running away when police said they wanted to talk with him because he had a fear of being targeted because of his race.  I don’t know if that’s the reason he ran – it might have had something to do with the car he had covered, hoping to hide it? – but pulling a gun, and according to King County Sherriff's spokesman John Urquhart, Monfort actually pulled the trigger and his pistol misfired or was unloaded as it didn’t discharge a round. 

I have also noted that while he didn’t have a record he did have a recent traffic infraction – driving without insurance – and that may be the source of his grievance with police.  I also wonder if his recent termination as a security guard was as a result of the violation?  We’ll see how it pans out.

Update 2 (Nov. 7)

According to Deputy Chief Jim Pugel, police have impounded two cars that belonged to the suspect shot yesterday after he brandished a handgun at officers with Seattle Police Department.  The cars, an early 1980s Datsun B210 which had been under a car cover since Halloween night, and a black Crown Victoria which closely resembles unmarked police units.  Police have not yet processed the cars, but have processed the apartment of the suspect, and as a result Pugel announced that the man had a several weapons and homemade explosive devices in his apartment.  The bomb squad had to disarm the devices before they could be removed.  Police also found bomb-making materials, a handgun and two rifles in the apartment.  Officers believe that the reason the suspect bolted for his apartment door when officers approached him in the apartment complex parking lot is that he was attempting to get to another weapon inside his apartment.  The pistol he carried with him either was not loaded or misfired when he pulled the trigger.

Police are also saying that they have found items that connect Monfort to both the murder of Officer Brenton and the firebombing of police vehicle at the maintenance yard.  The firebomber left fliers about police brutality which referred to an assault by a sheriffs deputy recently.  Investigators will be comparing the rifles with the weapon used in the murder.  Monfort remains in serious condition under arrest and guard at Harborview.

Update 3 (Nov. 7):

Police sources have identified the item found at both the site of Officer Brenton’s murder and the fire bombing of SPD vehicles on October 22.  At each site, investigators found an American flag.  This particular item also seems to reinforce Monfort’s connection to the two crimes, as he has said that like the professor he wished to augment, his goal was to subvert the American system of justice because he believed it unfair to African Americans. 

Records indicate that the citation Monfort received because he did not have insurance was issued on October 16, just six days before the fire bombing at the maintenance yard. 

Seattle Weekly made an interesting observation in an online comment concerning Monfort, suggesting that it seems quite possible that the idealistic statements he made, combined with an ego which believed he was ‘unique’ and ‘special’ because he ‘actually wanted’ justice could turn into something bitter when he didn’t receive the treatment or position he felt he deserved.  Police officers may have become the target because he became disillusioned when he couldn’t get hired as a policeman, when the ticket cost him his security job, or perhaps even when he saw the news on October 27 that prosecutors in Everett would prosecute an Everett Police Officer with first degree manslaughter for an unjustifiable shooting? 

An interesting comment posted to the Weekly’s blog article about Monfort purports to be from Monfort’s brother – I am not sure how he could be Monfort’s brother unless perhaps he is a half brother by Monfort’s father.  Police have said Monfort is an only child:

Ronald Taylor says:

“Chris was not a terrorist. He loved and respected the law. His track record not only exemplifies that, but also his ideals reflected his commitment to support the community, a community which includes law enforcement. These allegations are preposterous. It seems when a man of color pursues greatness he is tracked down like a run-away slave when it is obvious that he has God-given abilities. Take time to reflect on his life and his track record. Do his past actions look even remotely close to the allegations this police department is making? Who saw the incident? What witnesses do the police have? I know my brother and I know he is no criminal. From what I understand from the community in Seattle, the police department has been known to abuse black males. Living in Los Angeles during the riots, this looks very similar in police tactics to me. I would hope you would use your publication as a vehicle to find what the "truth" truly is. Not only are they trying to kill my brother, but they are trying to kill his reputation as an honest, brilliant, focused, hard-working African-American man. If you need some background information that is truthful and unbiased you can contact me at any time. Please do not hide nor withhold this email from anyone. We have nothing to hide. Also, tell the police department to let Christopher's mother see him in the hospital. That's her right as a mother. Thank you.

Ronald Taylor”

I will work on the question of family members of Monfort and report further when information becomes available.

Links:

http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2009/11/06/officer-involved-shooting-brenton-inv-continues/

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010221236_suspect07m.html

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Police-involved-shooting-in-Des-Moines-69420032.html

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/69463572.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010224861_apwaseattleofficerkilled.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iIJTkHe5NcnxBL030Hz_ss2OVotAD9BQQNHO0

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411932_shooting06.html

 

Technorati Tags: True Crime,Crime,Seattle Police Officer Shot,Seattle,Seattle Crime,Shots fired,Manhunt,Christopher John Monfort,Officer Tim Brenton