Accused Killer Attacks Judge

One of the irritations of being a private defense attorney is going through courthouse security several times a day. One of the few counties left that doesn't search attorneys is San Joaquin County. Week before last during a murder trial, defendant was testifying when he attacked the judge with a shank he had smuggled in from jail. Bailiffs tried to get to her aid but a Lodi detective was quicker and shot the attacker, killing him, 3 times in the chest.

Of course he didn't get his shank from an attorney. But the whole episode reminds me that we represent clients who appear normal most of the time but once in a while go into crisis mode. It is neither foreseeable nor preventable.

The judge is recovering from neck wounds.