A public defender was punched in the jaw by his own client during the pre-trial activities in video footage that has just been released to the public.
Vladamir Gagic, a contract attorney for Maricopa County Public Defense Services in Phoenix, Arizona, was assigned to the case to defend Lamont Payne and his assault of a public corrections official. Payne reportedly had a lengthy history of assaults and mischief in the courtroom and was unhappy about Gagic being assigned to defend him.
Payne can be seen in the video trying to get Gagic's attention which he seems to ignore. Payne also tries to get the attention of the judge and receives a warning. In his frustration, Payne puches Gagic in the mouth.
"The first thing, literally the first thing I know is 'oh, it's salty.' I could literally taste his knuckles, then I got up and checked my teeth," says Gagic.
According to court documents, Lamont Payne is no longer allowed to attend court hearings.
Source: ABC15 Arizona