Lawyers Under Fire: The Most Shocking Courtroom Attacks of 2025

By Legal Affairs Correspondent | Special Report

I. Introduction: When Justice Turns Violent

The courtroom—once regarded as a sanctuary for order, truth, and the rule of law—has become, in recent years, a stage for unpredictable violence. In 2025, the boundaries of decorum were shattered as defendants, fueled by rage, desperation, or mental instability, turned on the very lawyers tasked with defending or prosecuting them. These moments, caught on camera and broadcast across social media, have forced the legal world to confront a disturbing question: Is anyone truly safe in the halls of justice?

This is the story of the most shocking courtroom attacks of the year—a journey through chaos, pain, and the fight to uphold the law against all odds.

II. The Prosecutor’s Nightmare: Michael Cox Jr. Strikes Back

It began with a verdict and ended with violence. Michael Cox Jr., convicted of inappropriately touching a five-year-old girl, sat stone-faced as Judge Jerry Ritter called a bench conference. Deputy District Attorney Scott Key, who had secured Cox’s conviction, returned to his chair—only to be ambushed.

Cox, unable to contain his rage, leaped from his seat and tackled the prosecutor. Key, pinned to the floor, managed to fight back. Judge Ritter himself rushed into the fray, ordering the gallery to stand back as backup arrived. Cox was subdued and cuffed.

The aftermath was severe: Cox received 18 years for his original conviction, and an additional 6½ years for the courtroom attack. The message was clear—violence in the courtroom would be met with harsh justice.

III. One Punch Knockout: Peter Hafer vs. His Own Lawyer

Sometimes, the violence comes from frustration with legal representation. Peter Hafer, charged with burglarizing a Kmart, was assigned public defender Doug Cricer. After an off-camera meeting, Hafer requested a new lawyer, but the judge denied his plea.

That’s when Hafer’s anger boiled over. With a single punch, he knocked Cricer out cold, following up with blows to the face and stomach. Cricer, ever the professional, forgave Hafer and refused to press charges. But the judge added six months to Hafer’s sentence for the attack.

The incident underscored the volatile relationship between defendants and their attorneys—and the risks that come with defending the accused.

IV. The Blindsided Defender: Julie Chase’s Unexpected Assault

In Fort Lauderdale, Assistant Public Defender Julie Chase was representing another inmate when William Green, in court for battery charges, blindsided her with a single punch. Chase was knocked out and rushed to the hospital.

Despite the trauma, Chase used her recovery to advocate for better mental health treatment in jails. Green’s attack added new battery charges to his record, but Chase’s resilience turned a moment of violence into a call for reform.

V. Family Betrayal: Christopher Jackson’s Rampage

Some courtroom attacks spill over into family drama. Christopher Jackson, charged with trespassing and weapons offenses, was accompanied by his mother. When she tried to keep him in line, Jackson shoved her and then attacked his lawyer, throwing chairs and causing chaos.

Deputies intervened, but Jackson continued to resist, hiding his hands and going limp to avoid cuffs. He was ultimately convicted of multiple counts of assault and sentenced to nearly six years in prison. The case highlighted the dangers faced by lawyers—and even family members—in high-stress trials.

VI. The Killer’s Fury: Taylor Schabusiness Unleashed

Few cases have shocked the public as much as that of Taylor Schabusiness, charged with murdering and decapitating her boyfriend. The details were gruesome—body parts found in a bucket and a crock-pot box, a confession marked by chilling indifference.

But Schabusiness’s violence didn’t end with her crime. During a pre-trial hearing, she attacked her attorney, Quinn Jolly, in a sudden outburst. Later, she assaulted another lawyer and a prison sergeant while in custody.

Schabusiness was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life without parole, plus additional years for mutilation and sexual assault. Her repeated attacks raised questions about courtroom security and the treatment of mentally unstable defendants.

VII. Headbutts and Table Flips: Cody Jones and Felix Espinoza-Quiroz

Not all attacks are planned—some erupt from frustration. Cody Jones, charged with attempted murder, headbutted his lawyer after disagreeing with his defense strategy. The lawyer escaped serious injury, but Jones earned an extra assault charge.

Felix Espinoza-Quiroz, on trial for rape and incest, flipped a table and shoved his attorney after hearing his accuser testify. He was quickly restrained and later convicted, but his outburst was a stark reminder of the emotional volatility in cases involving sexual violence.

VIII. The Gun Grab: Scott Patrick Lemon’s Desperate Lunge

Security is always a concern in courtrooms, but sometimes even precautions fail. Scott Patrick Lemon, facing multiple charges including robbery and menacing, was denied electronic restraints to avoid jury bias. During the trial, he attempted to grab an officer’s gun, sparking a frantic struggle.

Deputies subdued Lemon before he could escalate the situation, but the incident led to an additional escape charge. The case reignited debates about balancing defendant rights with courtroom safety.

IX. The Ignored Defendant: Lamont Payne’s Bloody Outburst

Frustration with legal representation can turn violent. Lamont Payne, on trial for attacking a corrections officer, felt ignored by his lawyer during jury instructions. After repeated attempts to get his lawyer’s attention, Payne punched him in the face, leaving the attorney with a bloody nose.

The lawyer later appeared on TV, refusing to press charges but acknowledging the risks of defending difficult clients. Payne’s attack cost him more than just a fair trial—it exposed the cracks in the public defender system.

X. The Prosecutor’s Close Call: Joshua Harding’s Deadly Intent

Sometimes, the violence is premeditated. Joshua Harding, on trial for sexual abuse, brought a metal shank to court with the intent to stab assistant prosecutor Jonathan Roth. Roth narrowly escaped as Harding lunged at him, and deputies wrestled Harding to the ground.

Harding was charged with assault with intent to commit murder and sentenced to 49 years in prison. Roth’s survival became a testament to the dangers faced by those who prosecute the most heinous crimes.

XI. The Birthday Blow: LaMarcus Williamson’s Unwanted Gift

LaMarcus Williamson, convicted of strong-armed robbery and assault, was sentenced to 15 years. Shocked by the verdict, he punched his lawyer, Dan Hall, in the face—on Hall’s 58th birthday.

Hall, bloodied but unbowed, joked about the incident to reporters. Williamson received an additional six months for contempt of court. The case was a reminder that even experienced lawyers are not immune to courtroom violence.

XII. Spit and Swing: Keiante Hunter’s Revolt

Keiante Hunter, charged with murder and attempted murder, was incensed when his lawyer portrayed him as a naive juvenile. Hunter objected, spat on his attorney, and swung at him before being tackled by officers.

Hunter was convicted and sentenced to 25 years. The attack underscored the delicate balance lawyers must maintain between legal strategy and client dignity.

XIII. Stalked Outside the Courtroom: Major Robinson’s Grudge

Not all attacks happen in the courtroom. County prosecutor Tim Meals was heading home when Major Robinson, whom he had previously prosecuted, ambushed him. Robinson punched Meals and another lawyer who intervened before being arrested.

Robinson was charged with assault and willful injury. The incident highlighted the risks lawyers face even beyond the courthouse walls.

XIV. The Impact: Trauma, Reform, and the Future of Courtroom Safety

These attacks have left lasting scars—physical, emotional, and professional. Lawyers have spoken out about the need for better security, mental health assessments, and support for legal professionals traumatized by violence.

Courtrooms have increased the use of restraints, added more deputies, and installed panic buttons. But some argue that these measures are only a bandage on deeper wounds—overcrowded dockets, underfunded public defense, and a growing population of mentally ill defendants.

XV. Conclusion: Justice Under Siege

2025’s wave of courtroom violence has forced a reckoning. Lawyers—once seen as untouchable arbiters of justice—are now on the front lines, facing risks once reserved for police and corrections officers. The stories of Michael Cox Jr., Taylor Schabusiness, Cody Jones, and others are not just cautionary tales—they are a call to action.

Justice must be served, but not at the expense of those who serve it. As the legal community adapts to this new reality, one truth remains: the fight for order, safety, and dignity in the courtroom is far from over.

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