Man causes uproar in courtroom after attacking attorney
Donald Roberts
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
This story has been updated at 1:14 p.m. Friday to include a booking photo of Donald Roberts.
A man accused in an unarmed robbery had to be forcibly restrained by police and removed from the courtroom after attacking an attorney during his hearing Thursday.
Donald Roberts, 65, was representing himself in the case at the Washtenaw County Trial Court. The prosecution had just introduced a statement from a doctor saying Roberts was incompetent to stand trial when he attempted to violently lift the lectern he stood behind.
Roberts then grabbed attorney John Vella by both arms and pushed him for a few moments before three or four deputies from the Washtenew County Sheriff’s Office tackled Roberts to the ground.
Judge David Swartz had appointed Vella as a stand-by attorney in the case. Vella was at the defense table a few feet from the lectern when Roberts began his outburst. Many of those sitting in the filled courtroom gasped with shock at the scene. Officers then successfully detained Roberts and hauled him out of the courtroom.
When Roberts was gone, Swartz set a competency hearing for Aug. 17 at 11:30 a.m. He appointed Vella counsel for that hearing.
“Given the findings of the doctor, it would be a folly for (Roberts) to try and conduct an evidentiary hearing,” Swatz said.
Roberts is charged with unarmed robbery, refusing fingerprinting and assault with intent to rob while unarmed, according to court records. No other details about the alleged crime were immediately available Thursday evening.
Roberts is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond, according to jail records.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
RJA
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
What a place to cause an up-roar eh? Keep a good eye on him and KEEP him there.
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
Judge Swartz, how in the world can you expect Mr. Vella to defend this man after what happened? what exactly are you thinking? ARE you thinking? I for one would refuse to do it.
Basic Bob
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
It couldn't have been as horrible as you imagine.
Sandra Samons
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
Back when we had state hospitals, too many people were kept there for too long, but then we over-corrected in the opposite direction. Now, when someone is incompetent and has no family who can assume responsibility, people either become pitiful homeless people (not meaning all homeless people, only those who actually are mentally incompetent) or they break laws and wind up locked up in jails and prisons, where special units for such people are sometimes provided). As a society, we make no other provision for the care of such unfortunate people. Just one more thing we need to fix along the way to becoming a model civilized society.
Dog Guy
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.
Proper deportment is de rigueur for riding the railroad.
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
is yhis the man who is accused robbing a cab driver?if so hes been in jail a year or so.
Atticus F.
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
Is there any video availible of the incident?
Michigan Reader
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
No.
observer
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
If he was in Morris' court he would be out on bond.......
A2brooksie
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
I think it would be appropriate for a new bond hearing to increase this gentlemen's bond to make sure he stays in jail. Someone who is not able to control themselves in open court, likely are not able to control themselves out in public.
ezbngreen
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 2:24 a.m.
I assume pants on the ground would be played for background music?
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
A2brooksie, i agree. maybe a tenfold increase?
Basic Bob
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:57 p.m.
Nobody paid his bond last time, that's why he is being held at the jail.
Youwhine
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 3:29 a.m.
I saw the headline and hoped he was being represented by Steve Adams. Too bad the guy wasn't in Morris' court.
ezbngreen
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 2:23 a.m.
Would that be with his pants around his ankles?
smokeblwr
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.
I feel better with this nut behind bars than roaming the streets of my neighborhood.
Dutch Thomas
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
way to go america keep locking up the mentally ill in JAILS...stupid stupid stupid people led by evil insane fools
Sue
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
Dangerous criminals belong in jail, not a mental hospital where they can hurt other innocent people. They can get treatment while incarcerated if necessary.
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Dutch, would you rather have this apparently dangerous person walking the street? think about that before you call people stupid, evil or insane......and yes, I DID vote you down.
ThaKillaBee
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Run for office, or do something to change it.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
Lucky Mr. Vella. The guy attacks him, and now he is responsible for his defense. What's wrong with this picture?
DissidentIntellectual
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
The Judge should have immediately appointed someone different! Wow!