After a frightening courtroom incident in which a witness (who was also in jail himself) attacked a man charged with earlier stabbing him, County Commissioner Greg Beck said the county needs to use more video arraignments.
He said, "This would help with the safety of officers who have to move prisoners and the safety of those in the courtroom."
Commissioner Beck said, "That incident showed we have a breach and that something could happen at any time.
"It not only put our officers at jeopardy, but it happened within a few feet of the judge and put the judge at jeopardy. The judges were alarmed about this incident, and the female judges were really alarmed."
Commissioner Beck, who said he went down to the courtroom in General Sessions Court from his post at City Court, said, "It was a well-trained and quick response. I am proud of these guys and girls. A female deputy got involved in the fray."
He said of the incident, "Somebody saw an opportunity that we were not paying attention to and carried out an attack."
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said he was advised that there may be some legal impediment to use of video for proceedings in General Sessions Court.
Rep. Marc Gravitt, who was present, said he would look into that.
Sheriff Jim Hammond said in the past that judges in General Sessions Court had indicated they wanted to have all the parties in a case before them in court.
He said the court officers will take steps to make the courtroom safer, including making sure they are secured with a belly strap that would not allow them to take swings at another person in the courtroom.
He said officers need to be in between opposite parties in the courtroom and keep them as far apart as possible.
In the incident, a witness who had just been brought into a courtroom to testify against the man who allegedly stabbed him on Tuesday morning suddenly attacked the defendant.
The courtroom broke into chaos when Antwon Lee began slugging Eric McCullough, and several of those in the crowd tried to rush forward.
McCullough lay on the floor for several minutes after the attack, then he was later led away.
General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes had to halt the hearing, which was reset for Sept. 1. He said it may have to be held in a closed courtroom.
McCullough is accused in the stabbing of Lee as well as the stabbing of Tyecha McCullough, who later died. She was the girlfriend of Lee.
The incident happened at College Hill Courts in late July.
McCullough has been in protective custody at the jail.