The work of a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can be difficult at times, but it's rare for lawyers to be victims of violence in the courtroom. So it certainly came as a surprise to criminal defense lawyer Richard Everett, when he was attacked by his client in the Torrance courthouse yesterday.
Authorities report that Daniel Nunez, of Gardena repeatedly punched his Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer in the face and back, after the jury convicted him of murder and the verdict was read. Deputies immediately got a hold of Nunez and tried to restrain the convicted murderer. Two deputies forced Nunez to the floor, while a third deputy stunned the defendant with a Taser gun, in order to subdue him. Now, that's quite a lot of drama for the courtroom.
But the drama didn't even stop there. A woman believed to be his grandmother suffered a medical episode in the audience, and had to be removed by paramedics. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, Everett, had no serious injuries after the attack, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Deputy District Attorney Marc Chomel, a veteran prosecutor, admitted that he had never seen such a reaction before, and that he was shocked by the situation.
Nunez now faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, when he returns to court Feb. 16 for sentencing.
- Man attacks his lawyer after guilty verdict (Los Angeles Daily Breeze)
- Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers (FindLaw)
- Assault/Battery (FindLaw)
