Defendant Punches His Attorney During Hearing

A defendant in court for a hearing to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial punched his attorney Wednesday and scuffled with bailiffs before the judge and additional officers subdued him.

Shortly after the hearing began, the defendant, Jimmie Adams, 34, demanded that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dino Fulgoni appoint a defense attorney to replace Deputy Public Defender Donald Prigo, who was defending him.

When Fulgoni told Adams that the hearing was an inappropriate occasion for the request, Adams punched Prigo in the face. Fulgoni then sprang from the bench to help subdue Adams, who is charged with discharging a firearm at an aircraft.

Fulgoni’s bailiff, Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Hickman, suffered a gash near his right eye during the struggle. About a dozen other bailiffs rushed into the courtroom to subdue Adams and place him in chains.

Prigo was treated for a facial cut at White Memorial Hospital and released. Hickman was treated at the hospital for back and neck injuries. Adams and Fulgoni were not injured.

“I sort of held him until another bailiff came,” Fulgoni said. “I didn’t try to take him down, but had I known my bailiff was hurt, I would have. The fight is more evidence that the defendant is mentally ill.”

As a result of the fight, the judge said he would not hear Adams’ case. “I think the wise thing to do would be to recuse myself,” he said.