CARLAxoxoxTODD
05-30-2002, 03:28 AM
MILWAUKEE (AP)
A courtroom erupted into chaos when a murder defendant enraged that a jury found him guilty suddenly leapt over the defense table, shot a deputy while wrestling for his gun and was shot dead by a police officer who had earlier testified against him.
"I've never seen anything like this as a judge, and I'm not aware of any judge who has seen anything like it," said Circuit Court Judge Jacqueline Schellinger, who was handling the case. "The bailiffs were making their best effort to get him under control."
Deputy Michael Witkowski was hospitalized with a bullet wound to the abdomen and released, said Milwaukee County Sheriff's Sgt. Charles G. Coughlin. Another deputy and a lawyer also were hurt in Wednesday's commotion but their injuries were not serious, Coughlin said.
The shooting occurred on the third floor of the Milwaukee County Safety Building, which also houses the sheriff's department and other offices, police said.
The incident began when Laron Ball, 20, heard his guilty verdict on murder and armed robbery charges. He jumped up and tried to throw himself through a window, but it didn't break, said Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr.
As bailiffs tried to subdue him, Ball grabbed Witkowski's gun and fired twice, said his attorney, James Hanley. Another deputy grabbed the slide of the semiautomatic pistol to keep Ball from firing again.
Then Milwaukee Police Detective Alfonso Morales, the lead investigator on the case, shot Ball to death.
County mental health specialists were called to counsel the jurors in the case, said Jon Sanfilippo, the court's chief deputy clerk.
"They sat on a jury. They went through their civic duty and performed what was asked of them. The judgment was read. The next thing they know there was shooting," Sanfilippo said.
"I'm sure everyone was scared to death."
Ball had been charged in the death of Amon Rogers, 27, who was killed during a robbery in December. Ball was not shackled or handcuffed Wednesday, Clarke said.
Deputies had access to a stun belt that goes around a defendant's waist and can shock him if necessary, but chose not to put one on Ball, Clarke said. The sheriff said he didn't know why the precautions were not used.
Clarke said he ordered Ball held in solitary confinement in April after he learned through an informant that Ball was planning an escape by trading identification wristbands with a prisoner set to be released or by attacking deputies during his trial.
Chief Judge Michael Skwierawski said officials likely will review security at the courthouse when the investigation is finished.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley, whose courtroom is in a nearby building in the complex, said security can always be improved. But he feels safe in his courtroom.
"The elements of our society permeate the court system. We don't always have good players in here," Ashley said. "There is always some risk."
A courtroom erupted into chaos when a murder defendant enraged that a jury found him guilty suddenly leapt over the defense table, shot a deputy while wrestling for his gun and was shot dead by a police officer who had earlier testified against him.
"I've never seen anything like this as a judge, and I'm not aware of any judge who has seen anything like it," said Circuit Court Judge Jacqueline Schellinger, who was handling the case. "The bailiffs were making their best effort to get him under control."
Deputy Michael Witkowski was hospitalized with a bullet wound to the abdomen and released, said Milwaukee County Sheriff's Sgt. Charles G. Coughlin. Another deputy and a lawyer also were hurt in Wednesday's commotion but their injuries were not serious, Coughlin said.
The shooting occurred on the third floor of the Milwaukee County Safety Building, which also houses the sheriff's department and other offices, police said.
The incident began when Laron Ball, 20, heard his guilty verdict on murder and armed robbery charges. He jumped up and tried to throw himself through a window, but it didn't break, said Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr.
As bailiffs tried to subdue him, Ball grabbed Witkowski's gun and fired twice, said his attorney, James Hanley. Another deputy grabbed the slide of the semiautomatic pistol to keep Ball from firing again.
Then Milwaukee Police Detective Alfonso Morales, the lead investigator on the case, shot Ball to death.
County mental health specialists were called to counsel the jurors in the case, said Jon Sanfilippo, the court's chief deputy clerk.
"They sat on a jury. They went through their civic duty and performed what was asked of them. The judgment was read. The next thing they know there was shooting," Sanfilippo said.
"I'm sure everyone was scared to death."
Ball had been charged in the death of Amon Rogers, 27, who was killed during a robbery in December. Ball was not shackled or handcuffed Wednesday, Clarke said.
Deputies had access to a stun belt that goes around a defendant's waist and can shock him if necessary, but chose not to put one on Ball, Clarke said. The sheriff said he didn't know why the precautions were not used.
Clarke said he ordered Ball held in solitary confinement in April after he learned through an informant that Ball was planning an escape by trading identification wristbands with a prisoner set to be released or by attacking deputies during his trial.
Chief Judge Michael Skwierawski said officials likely will review security at the courthouse when the investigation is finished.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley, whose courtroom is in a nearby building in the complex, said security can always be improved. But he feels safe in his courtroom.
"The elements of our society permeate the court system. We don't always have good players in here," Ashley said. "There is always some risk."