Columbus woman who shot Franklin County deputies sentenced to at least 40 years

COLUMBUS, Ohio. A Columbus woman will spend at least 40 years in prison for a shooting that wounded two Franklin County sheriff’s deputies almost three years ago.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge David Young sentenced 56-year-old Monica Justice, also known as Lotus Justice, to 40-45 years in prison. According to the Franklin County Attorney’s Office, 40 years is required.

On June 21, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s SWAT team traveled to the judge’s home on Beulah Road to serve the probate order.

After repeated attempts to get Justice to come to the door, the deputies broke the door as ordered, according to prosecutors.

As SWAT took up their position at the door, Justice opened fire, injuring two policemen. Justice retired to her home, leading to hours of confrontation.

In order to get Justice out of the house, law enforcement agencies fired gas at the house. Justice went up to the roof where the authorities were able to approach her while she was sitting and take her into custody.

Justice was charged with four counts of felony assaulting a cop with technical characteristics and two counts of possession of a weapon while in a state of disability.

On March 17, a jury found Justice guilty on all counts after a two-week trial in which she decided to defend herself.

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