SEATTLE — On Tuesday Seattle Police Homicide Detective Robert Vallor testified in accused cop killer Christopher Monfort’s murder trial.
He told the jury about his role in the investigation into the shooting death of Officer Timothy Brenton.
Sgt Vallor responded when Officer Timothy Brenton was murdered on Halloween 2009.
He took more than 95 photographs of the crime scene --including a yellow tarp covering Officer Brenton’s patrol car and an American flag bandana left on the ground next to it.
Sgt. Vallor described talking to Officer Britt Sweeney, who survived the attack. “I took her badge off her shirt and wiped it down and gave it back to her,” remembered Sgt. Vallor. He told the jury her badge had blood on it.
Sgt. Vallor was in charge of the murder investigation. He sorted through more than 800 tips and helped prioritize which tips for detectives to follow.
The biggest lead was the dash cam video of a car spotted leaving the homicide scene. Investigators methodically began checking all Datsun 210s in the area. When a tip came in about a Datsun 210 now covered with a tarp at a Tukwila apartment, Sgt. Vallor went along. It was during Officer Brenton’s funeral when the detective went to tow the vehicle.
The homicide investigators were told by other detectives that the owner of the vehicle was not home. The SPD SWAT team was headed to the apartment complex later that day to search the apartment. The detectives discussed what they’d do if they saw the owner of the car. “We had a conversation about interviewing him and asking for permission to search his car,” remembered Sgt. Vallor.
He said a man matching the owner’s description walked right by them. When they told him to stop, he ran. Two detectives chased the man, who we now know was Christopher Monfort.
Sgt.Vallor got back in his car and drove after him.
Minutes later Detective Gary Nelson testified on Monday that minutes later Christopher Monfort aimed his gun at his head and pulled the trigger. There wasn’t a bullet in the chamber. When Monfort refused to drop his gun, the detectives shot Monfort.
Court ended abruptly during Sgt. Vallor’s testimony Tuesday. Christopher Monfort can only be in court for two hour stretches due to his injuries from the shooting.
The detectives involved in shooting Monfort told the jury they have never discussed it with each other. They want to keep their memories preserved from the day they say Christopher Monfort tried to kill again.
Monfort is charged with one count of attempted murder for trying to kill Detective Nelson. He faces aggravated first degree murder charges for killing Officer Brenton on October 31, 2009. Monfort also faces two other attempted murder charges and arson. Monfort pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. If he’s convicted he could face the death penalty.
Sgt. Vallor will continue testifying Wednesday morning.