COMPTON, Calif. (AP) — As jurors announced a guilty verdict Monday in a kidnapping trial, the defendant pulled a knife and attacked two deputies before a third officer shot him to death in the courtroom.
“The suspect made comments to the jury and became combative. When the deputies tried to take him into custody he stabbed them,” said Los Angeles County Deputy Bill Martin.
The deputies’ wounds were not life-threatening, Deputy Jim Hellmold said.
Hellmold defended courthouse security. “But certainly a knife did enter here so that leaves the question how did it enter the courtroom, and we’re going to find out exactly why,” he said.
The weapon was described as homemade.
Jurors convicted James Eugene Moore, 51, of kidnapping for the purpose of rape and sexual battery.
Angered by guilty verdict, defendant stabs deputies and is shot to death
Published June 2, 1998
