Attorney: Slain son abused father before shooting

Attorney: Slain son abused father before shooting

Clarence Munce is seen during his arraignment in Pierce County Superior Court on Thursday, July 17, 2008.

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Story Published: Jul 17, 2008 at 5:20 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:19 PM PDT

By KOMO Staff

TACOMA - An 81-year-old man charged with killing his 58-year-old son in June had been assaulted by the son several times - including on the night of the deadly shooting, his attorney said in Pierce County Superior Court on Thursday.

The attorney said Clarence Munce, 81, of Spanaway - who uses a walker to get around - had been hit, shoved and grabbed by his son Gerald Munce at different times in the months before the shooting.

On one occasion, Gerald Munce had grabbed the elder Munce by the eyebrows and eyelids and forced him to the ground. On another occasion, Clarence Munce had to be hospitalized after the son shoved him off the porch, said his attorney, Erik Bauer.

On the night of the shooting, Bauer said Gerald Munce had bashed his father in the head with a metal Mac truck hood ornament after drinking all day at a tavern.

But ultimately Judge James Orlando sided with the prosecution in ruling that none of that should have any bearing on whether he is released from jail before trial. The judge ordered the elder Munce to undergo a mental competency evaluation at Western State Hospital instead.

Prosecuting attorney Gerald Costello said there was evidence that the elder Munce had threatened members of his family with guns before his arrest. He also said there was evidence that Clarence Munce had hit his son in the head with a golf club on the night of the shooting.

Costello also argued that Munce has enough money to flee the state and the country.

Munce, who suffers from moderate dementia, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his son.

Charging documents say the elder Munce shot his son in the back with a rifle not long after the two argued at the father's Spanaway home in the early morning hours of June 22.

Superior Court Judge Kitty-Ann van Doorninck earlier ordered Clarence Munce jailed in lieu of $5 million bail. A not guilty plea was entered on Munce's behalf at his arraignment.

At Thursday's court hearing, about 50 people showed up in support of Clarence Munce, a World War II veteran with no criminal history before the shooting.

Court documents say Clarence Munce told investigators he fired the round at his son "to scare him."

Another hearing in the case is scheduled for July 31.

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