Cop killer sentenced to life; victim's family, defiant Monfort speak
SEATTLE – Christopher Monfort, the man convicted of ambushing and killing Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton on Halloween night six years ago, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Thursday.
Monfort was found guilty of aggravated murder and attempted murder in June. The jury later came to the decision of life in prison for Monfort, instead of death, after deliberating for only an hour.
At Monfort's sentencing hearing Thursday, family members of Brenton spoke to the court. Brenton’s wife Lisa said her husband’s death was utterly devastating, and deprived her children of a father.
“You took away Tim ever knowing what the kids will look like when they grow up,” Lisa said.
Brenton’s mother Penny said her son epitomized everything a police officer should. He was, she said, the exact opposite of Monfort.
“Tim believed in character and honor,” Penny said, mentioning these were two qualities Monfort greatly lacked.
Six years ago, Monfort opened fire on a patrol car, killing Brenton and wounding his partner, Britt Sweeney. Monfort had earlier firebombed vehicles at a city maintenance yard. Monfort, who was given the opportunity to speak, largely seemed to lack remorse for his shootings, though he said he killed a good man.
“Everything I’ve seen and heard, I killed a good man,” Monfort said to the court. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
A defiant Monfort also raised his voice in the courtroom, suggesting that while his actions were brutal, so are the actions of police officers around the country who hurt average citizens. During his monologue, Brenton's family and others left the courtroom.
“I’m not a hero,” Monfort told the court. “I don’t want to be a hero.”