Judge clears courtroom after noticing police report said arrestee claimed to have Ebola
It isn’t just hospitals that are revamping procedures to deal with individuals who might have been exposed to the deadly Ebola virus.
A Florida judge on Friday cleared a courtroom after noticing that an arrest report said a defendant facing charges of battery, resisting without violence and disorderly conduct had claimed to have Ebola, according to the Broward-Palm Beach New Times, the Sun-Sentinel and WPLG.
Video shows Joseph Britton, 42, sitting alone in a courtroom at the Broward County Courthouse as Judge John “Jay” Hurley sought information from the sheriff’s department. Because he hears cases in the bond calendar by video link, the judge stayed on the bench and handled matters elsewhere while awaiting the all-clear.
Although the arrestee’s Ebola claim appeared unlikely at best, “What if it turns out this guy really has it?” the judge asked at one point.
Deputies eventually said Britton didn’t have Ebola. He is now scheduled for a Saturday hearing.
