A robbery suspect who was un-handcuffed while appearing before a judge in the Manhattan Supreme Court went "berserk" yesterday, injuring four court officers and sending two to the hospital. While suspects are typically kept chained in the courtroom, Court Justice Renee White apparently prefers it when prisoners are left uncuffed as they enter and exit her courtroom, according to a courts spokesman.
Suspect Adalis Ortego, who was at the court on robbery charges for two muggings last May in Harlem, blew up and turned violent as he was being lead from a holding cell into the courtroom. The reason for the brawl? Allegedly, because he was told he'd have to wait to speak to his lawyer." Ortega became combative and a scuffle ensued," Court Officer David Bookstaver told the Daily News. The two officers who ended up in the hospital were being treated for minor injuries (one was carried out on a stretcher), and Ortega has also been slapped with assault charges in addition to the robbery rap. No word yet on whether White will change her policy regarding the un-chaining of prisoners.
