The man King County prosecutors believe killed Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton, attempted to kill Brenton's partner, and  fire bombed a police maintenance yard, was arraigned this morning in a overflow courtroom at the King County Courthouse that spilled out into an adjacent hallway full of reporters, TV crews and gawkers drawn to the spectacle.  

Christopher J. Monfort is charged with one count of aggravated first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of arson in the first degree. He  plead not guilty to all five charges. 

During the brief proceeding, Monfort's attorney, Julie Lawry, repeatedly attempted to shield her client's face from newspaper photographers.  A judge ruled last week that Monfort, who is paralyzed from the waist down, may be photographed from the waist up.

In attendance were Suzan Monfort, the defendant's mother, Brenton's widow, Lisa Brenton, and Brenton's partner, Officer Britt Sweeney, who was also shot in the Halloween night slaying. A phalanx of Seattle police who worked with Brenton in the East Precinct stood in the back of the courtroom as the charges were read. 

After the arraignment, Brenton's widow, Lisa, delivered a statement to reporters. We'll post audio and pictures ASAP.

Photo via CHS