Man accused of lawyer stabbings guilty of murder

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A man accused of stabbing three of his former lawyers with pencils and one with a pen has been convicted of first-degree murder in the 2011 death of an acquaintance.

Snohomish County jurors convicted 28-year-old Joshua Monson of Everett on Wednesday in the shooting death of 30-year-old Brian Jones.

The Daily Herald reports (http://is.gd/G6qS7l ) that jurors were told Monson shot the victim in the back of the head at close range as Jones talked on a cellphone.

The case went to trial after numerous delays, some caused by Monson’s courtroom actions. The lawyers were not badly hurt in the stabbing incidents.

Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman agreed to have Monson restrained during the murder trial. Courtroom furniture was arranged so jurors did not see the restraints.

The newspaper reports that before the verdict was read, Monson shook his current lawyer’s hand. A corrections officer kept a firm hold on Monson’s forearm.

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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com