Inmate Punches Lawyer In The Face During Court Hearing

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Posted: 9:46 AM Feb 5, 2008
Last Updated: 11:34 AM Feb 5, 2008

43 comments

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A man already in jail on a burglary charge in Scott County now faces assault charges.

Court officials say Peter Hafer punched his attorney during a hearing in a Scott County courtroom.

Hafer asked Judge Rob Johnson for a new court-appointed attorney. Moments after the judge denied that request, Hafer got into a scuffle with his attorney.

Doug Crickmer, the attorney, had to go to the hospital but has since been released.

AP STORY

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) - A prisoner punched his public defender in the jaw during a court hearing in which a judge refused to grant the man's request for a new attorney.

The wild scene happened Monday at Scott County Circuit Court and was captured on a security video.

Defendant Peter Hafer, 30, of Cynthiana told the judge he didn't trust his court-appointed lawyer, Doug Crickmer. As Crickmer began to tell the judge that Hafer couldn't choose his public defender, Hafer landed the first punch.

"I just couldn't take it anymore and I just snapped," Hafer said later at the Scott County jail.

Bailiff Jim Traylor said Hafer hit the attorney multiple times in the face and stomach. Hafer was restrained on the ground. Crickmer was admitted to Georgetown Community Hospital and released later that day.

Rodney Barnes, directing attorney for the Public Advocate Frankfort Trial office, said Crickmer suffered a cut on his cheek and a black eye.

Hafer, who was arrested in August on charges of burglarizing a K-Mart store in June, will likely face an assault charge, Traylor said.

During the court hearing, Hafer asked Judge Rob Johnson to delay his trial later this month so he could prepare a better defense.

"I'd rather have the prosecutor be my attorney than him," Hafer said during the hearing, referring to Crickmer. "He'd probably give me a better trial."

Shortly before he was punched, Crickmer said that "legally, what Mr. Hafer wants is not permissible or will not be allowed by the court."

As for his request for a new attorney, Hafer apparently will get his way. Barnes said a new one will be appointed.

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Posted by: Cindy Location: Somerset on Feb 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Big deal. Hello people, he is a thief. He will get lots of time with or without a lawyer. What difference does it make if the lawyer presses charges or not? All it would be is another expense for we, the taxpayer, to pay. He will get 20 years anyway.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 9, 2008 at 02:17 PM
What did the five fingers say to the face? Smack!

Posted by: KY native Location: KY on Feb 9, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Well Concerned Citizen, if you wanted to see negative stereotypes of KY confirmed, you came to the right place! Check back for even more offensive comments when there is an article about a dog attack or a record deer hunt.

Posted by: johnny Location: ky on Feb 9, 2008 at 05:11 AM
sounds like the judge was scared he might get punched.the man got what he wanted. the judge should have just gave him ten years in the pin with out a trial.then give the lawer 5 years for not pressing charges on this nut.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 8, 2008 at 08:10 PM
well all i have to say is if these stupid idiots would quit breaking the law they would be home we have laws quit breaking them how dumb do you have to be gees idiots I agree with mo. person i was born in ky. and its the horses rear right now. No jobs or nothing we are living 40 years ago and with frankfort the way it is commy as it is looks like it will stay this way.

Posted by: Henry Location: Clay City on Feb 8, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Its pretty obvious that the person from MO who made a few stupid remarks is lacking in education or just common sense to say the least.

Posted by: Bill Location: Pulaski on Feb 8, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I wonder if the the KBA and The Judicial Board of Retirement and Removal will investigate the officer's of this court room. Mr. Hafer violated the law by striking the attorney. Hmmm.........good news reporting!

Posted by: c Location: fkt on Feb 8, 2008 at 04:34 AM
Concerned from MO, keep your nose in your own state! We are not uneducated, but rather refuse to be sucker by our college professors into thinking that all is good! I have a college degree and resent your whole attitude! I think this idiot sucker punched his attorney to get what he wanted: a new attorney. Sadly, the judge gave in to him. I would have made him either represent himself or keep the same attorney! Those getting WELFARE law shouldn't be so picky!

Posted by: Virgil Location: Richmond/Irvine on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
You know your a redneck when you punch out your own lawyer to get a new one despite a refusal from a judge. Stick that in your uppidy pipe and smoke it Concerned Citizen Location: MO. and yes it is sad that it made national news and the lawyer went on National TV to tell his story.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Feb 7, 2008 at 09:41 PM
To the Concerned Citizen in MO: We KENTUCKIANS quit using "NOT" in the 80's. Try to keep up.

Posted by: Willis Location: Cincinnati on Feb 7, 2008 at 04:18 PM
I have read a lot of comments, some just reflect that persons opinion, some are real legal issues, some are just plain foolish, but none more than the writer from {concerned citizen} in MO. With about half of the thing you said in your comments taken out, the rest could hold a little bit of knowledge.

Posted by: Sad on Feb 7, 2008 at 03:41 PM
This is so sad! I am no fans of attorneys...but NO ONE needs to be hit by a piece of trash in court. The attorney is so brain washed he does not want to press charges. Shame on the Scott County Sheriffs office for not charging this trash. You don't need the attorney for a charge. You have 10 witness and a video!! Take a stand JUDGE!!!

Posted by: mje Location: ky on Feb 7, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Sad thing is that this made National Headlines and the attorney was on the Today Show today saying how the defendent must have been having a bad day and snapped. Go figure

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: MO on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:45 AM
It's amazing the number of ignorant responses to the article above. They just perpetuate people's perception of uneducated Kentuckians and in some cases society as a whole. By the way, Kentuckians is a word used to identify people who live in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Only the uneducated or losers could find humor in this kind of thing. Public defenders do not get the respect they deserve. They work for less money to defend people who for the most part are losers. Punching your attorney in court in front of a judge shows real intelligence (smarts) doesn't it. Of course, if he had any he wouldn't be there in the first place. I agree we can do without some attorneys, but this guy can't afford one so he needs a public defender. You can't tell me this guy knows more about the law then his attorney. I'd be willing to bet most of the negative comments have come from other losers who got what they deserved and blamed their attorney for it. So keep adding great value to society, NOT

Posted by: cory Location: dry ridge on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM
One Word "Idiot"

Posted by: Frank Location: Northeast US on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I don't know much about Kentucky law, but I do know about US law, and I know that if you don't have the money to pick your own attorney, you are ASSIGNED one. There are thousands of people who don't like their attorneys and still go through their trials. Just because the judge denied his request for a new public defender doesn't give him the right to sucker punch his attorney. You can't cherry pick through the public defender's office. That's the drawback for not hiring a private attorney. He should do hard time for both the robbery and now the assault.

Posted by: A new lawyer joke? on Feb 7, 2008 at 09:03 AM
What goes smack, thump?

Posted by: Charlie Location: Lexington on Feb 7, 2008 at 05:38 AM
A great observation by Joey, how lucky we would be if it was Ambulance Chaser Issac "heavy hitter" or the crooks better known as the Phen Phen lawyers.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Feb 7, 2008 at 05:32 AM
YeeHaw! Good 'ol Kentucky justice!

Posted by: c Location: fkt on Feb 7, 2008 at 04:53 AM
I'm sorry, but this idiot got want he wanted, a new attorney. If I were the judge, I would have made him keep the same attorney! And as his attorney, I would have requested he put handcuffed at all times! Because this would not have occured if they had had the man in handcuff in the first place! I agree, we shouldn't have WELFARE law either! These criminals get into trouble, let them either defend themselves or hire their own attorney at their own expense! Perhaps, that way, more of them will actually be punished for their crimes! Next time, judge, make sure the person is in handcuffs or he just might come at you! The media should not give this bozo any more attention either! As far as being poor, that gave this idiot no reason to take from others! I'm poor, but I don't go around stealing from others! He is a lazy bum that thinks the world owes him a living! Lock him up and throw away the key! I'm sick of these thieves!

Posted by: Tina Location: letcher co. on Feb 7, 2008 at 02:40 AM
First and formost, this is a shame that such an act has to air on public tv. I dont no the crime this man was accused of but if he felt like he did not get justice from the attorney that the state had appointed him then he could of ask the judge for more time to get a case together his self. people stop abusing the system, they are people that really need help. what would you do if you needed the assistence from your county and over such acts like this the state stops county appointed attorneys. and while most people think it is so funny to see this stuff air on public tv. then maybe you should trade places with the judge or layers..stop laughing and go to school to become a layer or judge and better your county. Thank you and May God Bless You All...

Posted by: shawn Location: morgan on Feb 6, 2008 at 09:10 PM
you know your looseing when your only option is to punch your own lawyer. Thats like getting married to a real ugly person and at your wedding punching the preacher.

Posted by: Tater salad fan Location: Holding my side on Feb 6, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I bet the liar (Oops) lawyer seen stars instead of dollar signs for a change. The only thing that would have made this funnier,IS IF HE HAD HEAD BUTTED HIM!!! HA HA HA....GET-ER-DONE.

Posted by: Rick Location: Georgetown on Feb 6, 2008 at 07:38 PM
HILARIOUS! Hey , he broke into Kmart and stole $51000 of jewelry and that's stupid enough. Punching a lawyer? PRICELESS!

Posted by: Tina Location: Morehead on Feb 6, 2008 at 06:22 PM
lol, I guess maybe this fine lawyer will take his job a little more seriously! If he gets a better attorney this time his apt to do less time for both charges! That guy seemed ready to hang him! But seriously he shouldn't have done that, then again we've all wanted to! :o) lol lol

Posted by: Dean Location: Floyd county on Feb 6, 2008 at 06:06 PM
If you hit your lawyer in the forest and no one was around to hear him hit the ground, would he still get a black eye?

Posted by: Bart Location: Harrodsburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 05:57 PM
You know, we may not have a perfect legal system, but it is the best in the world. Public defenders do not get the credit that they deserve. If you are assigned someone who is caught red handed and the evidence is overwhelming (often times accompanied with a confession), what are you supposed to do? Meanwhile these jail house lawyers see things in movies or on television and they think that they are better qualified. I don't care what the situation was, this man was only doing his job and he didn't deserve that kind of beating. A good verbal lashing in front of this rather tolerant judge and I could be okay with that. Most judges would have shut him up after about the third "ya know."

Posted by: crickett Location: cynthiana on Feb 6, 2008 at 05:47 PM
i dont blame him - everyone deserves the right 2 a fair trial .. and if he didnt feel like he was gettin one .. then he should have the choice of a new lawyer.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:41 PM
And the new budget is going to cut the public defenders in the state. They're already juggling more cases than the ABA allows them to juggle. No wonder this man had only met with his public defender for 15 minutes in 4 months...because the lawyer had 200 other clients ranging from drunks to murderers to help prepare for their trials too most likely. The problem will only get worse with the cuts. I'd say there's more punchings coming in the future.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Feb 6, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Perhaps the judge will let this poor fellow out of jail to see an Anger Management coach. I'm sure he will come right back after the coaching session, unless he punches his coach too.

Posted by: lone wolf2 Location: eastern ky on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:42 AM
ouch dont believe id punched my own lawer well at least not in the court room

Posted by: Janie Location: Lexington on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:34 AM
yeah! woo hoo! let's take the only attorneys in the state who will work for less than $35000 a year despite their $80000 in law school loans that they have to pay back and are crammed with 6-800 cases a year a cold-cock them!!! what a great thank you for being a servant to a society of meth addicts!

Posted by: nosie Location: ky on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Where do you all get the public defender is FREE? Charges are added on to your fines.They have to make a name for their self,no clients, no money and some you could defend your self better.

Posted by: me Location: Pike County on Feb 6, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Oh, he done the wrong thing. He didnt have any money. They will sock it to him. Usually if you got money here in Pike County, you get out of everything, but this man dont have any so there he goes. and if you WELL KNOWN. THAT SHOULD BE A CRIME. WELL KNOWN SORRY LAZY BUTTS GET ALL THE MONEY AND GET OUT OF EVERYTHING WHILE THE ONES WITH NO MONEY HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING AND HARD AT IT TOO.

Posted by: Joey on Feb 6, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Ain't it a shame that it wasn't one of the Phen Phen lawyers? Or for that fact, the Heavy Hitter or Becker? LOL!

Posted by: margie Location: pike county on Feb 6, 2008 at 08:39 AM
i dont that the prisoner had the right to punch his defender because all he was doing was just trying to defend him and trying to get him out of jail

Posted by: wayne Location: mckee, ky. on Feb 6, 2008 at 08:28 AM
This is the best video that wymt has ever show...i almost fell out of my chair laughing when i watched this...i guess that o'country boy showed that judge, he could have a different way of thinking..the judge was afraid of next time it could be him taking the k.o. ...lol....so funny!!

Posted by: George Location: Harlan on Feb 6, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Why is state money being wasted on legal welfare anyway? If he doesn't like the free lawyer, let him hire his own or go to trial without one.

Posted by: Bill on Feb 6, 2008 at 04:52 AM
But he got a new laywer huh.In Kentucky you have use your fist if you have any chance, at justice, in Ky. court rooms.Here courts for show only not fairness,or justice.

Posted by: Todd Location: Morehead on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:50 PM
This is too funny. The judge should force Crickmer to defend this fine upstanding citizen, especially since it was his position to the judge that an attorney change was "not permissible or will not be allowed by the court". I guess this criminal showed Crickmer that what is "legally" allowed, and the "thug code" are just a teensy weensy bit different.

Posted by: John Location: Scott County on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:17 PM
What an idiot!

Posted by: Beth Rains Location: Bell County KY on Feb 5, 2008 at 01:58 PM
This should be a lesson with a lack of better terms, for court appointed attorneys to take their jobs more seriously, and do their work as accurate and with the best ability possible.

Posted by: RuppArena2 Location: Kentucky on Feb 5, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Hilarious! Members of CatsPause are loving this video!

Posted by: Wow Location: RIchmond on Feb 5, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I guess thats one way of gettin your way. Public defenders are worse than just pleading guilty. I actually heard on in madison county tell her client when he said "I don't wanna do 30days on a DUI." She responded with "I can get you more time." I laughed out loud and they both looked at me but I didnt care. After she left my friend whom I was in court for support of told him to "dump that publci defender and plead guilty youll be better off." Then again if the people didnt do stupid crimes they wouldnt need a lawyer in the 1st place.

Posted by: Don Location: London on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Is it really a crime to hit a lawyer?

Posted by: BS Location: Ky on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
That's one way to insure you get another attorney.

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