Now this is a different turn of events for a courtroom. A Florida judge, John Murphy, told a public defender to step outside, then punched the attorney in the head until court deputies stepped in to break up the little tiff between the men.
Even though the scuffle took place outside the range of the court's video cameras, it did pick up the audio, including several loud thuds. It is no real surprise that no one was charged in the incident. The judge even went back to his bench afterward and continued his public service.
The sparks occurred after a courtroom dispute in which assistant public defender Andrew Weinstock resisted pressure to waive his client's speedy trial rights.
“If you want to fight, let's go out back and I'll just beat your ass,” Murphy told Weinstock, WFTV reports. Earlier in the war of words, the judge said: “You know, if I had a rock I would throw it at you right now! Stop pissing me off! Just sit down.
Weinstock said he wanted to talk with the judge in the hallway outside the courtroom.
”The attorney said that immediately upon entering the hallway he was grabbed by the collar and began to be struck. There was no discussion, no talk, not even time for anything. Just as soon as they're in the hallway, the attorney was grabbed.“
Those in the courtroom applauded as the judge returned to the bench saying: ”I will catch my breath eventually. Man, I'm an old man.”
However, Weinstock has now been assigned to another courtroom.
Take a look at the courtroom video and let us know what you think in the comments:
What happens to attorneys who mention they plan to appeal his rulings? Pistols at dawn?
Don King needs to get a boxing series together: “Judges vs. Lawyers”. It would make a killing.
Florida.