William Green, a 27-year-old facing a battery charge, rose out of his seat and punched Julie Chase, an assistant
The courtroom video shows Ms Chase, who was representing another defendant, falling to the floor after being punched. Police officers immediately detained Mr Green and proceedings at the court were paused as the 27-year-old was removed. He is facing an additional battery charge following the attack.
Ms Chase was punched seemingly at random. She was taken to hospital where she was treated and later released. She described the assault as “a bit of a shock.” “I didn’t expect it, but I’m doing OK,” she said.
Gordon Weekes, Broward County’s chief assistant public defender, questioned why measures had not been taken to prevent the attack. “I am utterly outraged at the jail’s failure to secure that facility and to make a better decision on how they deal with folks suffering from mental illness,” he said.