Judge attacked in courtroom by defendant in aggravated battery case, sheriff's officials say
A suburban Chicago judge was taken to a hospital for treatment Thursday after being attacked by a defendant in an aggravated battery case, immediately after a court hearing, sheriff’s officials said.
The Cook County Circuit Court judge, who has not been officially identified, is expected to be OK. He may also have been struck by an electronic stun gun as sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement officers in the courtroom subdued the defendant with it, according to the Chicago Tribune and NBC Chicago.
The defendant, identified by NBC Chicago as Michael Ganter, is expected to face new felony charges over the incident at the 4th Municipal District courthouse in Maywood. Authorities said he lunged at the bench as he was being taken out of the courtroom, striking the judge in the head and face with his hands.
Ganter was not handcuffed at the time, sheriff’s officials said.
