Courtroom Drama ~ Judge Attacks Attorney

Source: BizPac Review
Video: Hot-head judge loses it! Gets down off bench to violently attack attorney
Brevard County Judge John Murphy had one nasty temper-tantrum before ultimately beating up a public defender just outside the Florida courtroom Monday, according to local news reports and a pretty wild video.
The scuffle began when Murphy allegedly tried to pressure seasoned public defender Andrew Weinstock to convince his client to waive his right to a speedy trial, according to WFTV.
After what appeared to be some normal legal chatter, the judge became angry and sparks flew.

According to the video, the exchange led to the age-old dare to “take this outside”:
“You know, if I had a rock I would throw it at you right now,” Murphy told the attorney from the bench. “Stop pissing me off. Just sit down.”
“You know I’m the public defender. I have a right to be here and I have a right to stand and represent my client,” Weinstock replied.
The two can then be seen on video walking out to the hallway on Murphy’s suggestion.
“If you want to fight, let’s go out back and I’ll just beat your ass,” Murphy told Weinstock on the way out of the courtroom.
The camera captured those who were left in the courtroom listening to the sound of yelling (obscenities) and loud thuds from the hallway. They clapped when it was over.
“The attorney said that immediately upon entering the hallway he was grabbed by the collar and began to be struck, “Weinstock’s supervisor told WFTV . “There was no discussion, no talk, not even time for anything. Just as soon as they’re in the hallway, the attorney was grabbed.”
The judge was allowed to catch his breath and go back to the bench to finish his other rulings, according to the report. There were no arrests, but the incident will be reported to the Florida Bar.
I guess if you are a judge, it’s not illegal to threaten people with violence and then physically attack them. Who knew?