A man convicted of nearly two dozen charges has been caught on police body cam sucker-punching his attorney in the face immediately following his sentencing.
David Chislton, 42, was appearing in court on multiple charges, which included aggravated arson, domestic violence, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, WKYC reports.
Appearing at the Cuyahoga County courtroom in Cleveland, Ohio and wearing an orange jumpsuit, Chislton was sentenced to 47 years in prison for the offenses. However, after receiving the sentence, the handcuffed Chislton delivered a two-handed punch to the face of his attorney, Aaron Brockler.
Check out the aggressive outburst in the police video below:After knocking Brockler to the ground, officers can be seen rushing to the attorney's aide, as panicked cries fill the courtroom. After restraining Chislton, one officer can be heard saying: "You calm? You know you messed up, right?"
Recalling the incident to Fox 8, Brockler said:
“I went to go turn to tell him, ‘I’ll come and see you privately to discuss what your options are,’ and before I could even get the words out, I just got sucker-punched right in the side of the head.
“While his crimes were serious, I think it was just a big number for him and he lashed out against me for whatever reason.”
Brockler was knocked unconscious following the surprise attack and was later diagnosed with a broken nose and a concussion.
Cleveland.com reported that on April 10, 2017, Chislton had held his ex-girlfriend hostage, pistol-whipped her, and threatened to kill her after she had accused him of sexually abusing her 15-year-old daughter.
Thankfully she escaped seriously unharmed, but Chislton would then barricade himself in the apartment unit before eventually setting it on fire. The incident displaced 16 families after the fire spread to other units.
Police were in a standoff with Chislton for several hours following his multiple threats to harm himself.
Judge Nancy Margaret Russo, who sentenced Chislton to the 47-year stretch, said in a statement:
“What occurred in courtroom 18-C today was unfortunate, and we are thankful that Attorney Aaron Brockler was not more seriously injured. We wish him the best in a speedy recovery.”
Following the courtroom attack on Brockler, deputies are completing paperwork in order to formally file new charges against Chislton.
