Expert in 'suicide by cop' testifies

So-called "suicide by cop" is a growing phenomenon but still not widely understood and only recently studied.

On Thursday it became the topic for the jury that must decide if Devin Monfils is guilty of attempting to murder five people -- including three Metro Police officers -- as part of his plot to provoke police to gun him down.

The officers returned Monfils' fire Aug. 20 at Industrial Road near Tropicana Avenue and hit him in the arm, knocking his pistol out of his hand.

Prosecution and defense attorneys agree on the details and that Monfils wanted to die by officers' bullets. The only question was whether Monfils, 26, was trying to kill others.

Deputy Public Defender Jordan Savage says that Monfils didn't shoot to kill and, at most, is only guilty of assault with a deadly weapon -- a felony punishable by one to 5 years in prison.

Deputy District Attorney L.J. O'Neale argued for attempted murder -- which carries a sentence of two to 20 years.

University of Southern California professor Dr. Deirdre Anglin testified at Monfils' trial. An expert on suicide by cop, she agreed that when Monfils opened fire he was attempting to orchestrate his own death.

Anglin said there are four criteria that must be present for an incident to qualify as suicide-by-cop.

First, there must be evidence of an intent to commit suicide.

In Monfil's case, he was seen pointing his pistol at his own head before shooting at the other civilians.

Second, there must be evidence he wanted the officers to shoot.

Testimony at the trial in District Judge Sally Loehrer's courtroom indicated Monfils told authorities after the incident that it was his intent to die by police bullets.

Third, there must be a lethal weapon involved.

Fourth, there must be an attempt to escalate the confrontation to force officers to shoot.

Trial testimony showed that Monfils hid behind a utility pole and then fired shots at officers. Officers then returned fire.

O'Neale asked Anglin if Monfils' extensive drinking before the 5 a.m. incident played a role, and she responded that "alcohol is commonly associated with suicides."

While she said that some people plan their officer-assisted suicides, many are instantaneous decisions made by fleeing felons who don't want to be apprehended or sent to prison.

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