Overview

• Joseph Washington pled guilty to three counts of first-degree murder for the arson that killed his three children.
• Following the guilty plea, a violent brawl erupted in the courtroom involving family members of the children.
• Prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty, and Washington is set to serve a life sentence.
• The children's mother had warned police of the threat shortly before the fire occurred.
• Order was restored in the courtroom after several minutes, with multiple participants removed or detained.