Hill County Man Indicted for Assault on Attorney in Courtroom Drama
By Tommy Witherspoon
Published: Jan. 18, 2025, at 3:53 AM GMT+5:30
HILLSBORO, Texas (KWTX) – A Hill County man, Christopher Donte Loud, 39, faces a first-degree felony charge for aggravated assault on a public servant, following a shocking courtroom attack last month that left his attorney with life-altering injuries.
The incident unfolded on December 16, 2024, in front of 80 potential jurors, court deputies, staff, and Hill County District Attorney Mark Pratt, just as jury selection was about to begin in Loud’s burglary of a habitation trial. The attack, captured by courtroom security cameras, resulted in severe injuries to 63-year-old attorney Pat Dohoney, who permanently lost sight in his left eye.
Courtroom Attack
According to video footage, Loud was escorted into the courtroom by two deputies while Dohoney was reviewing case documents at the counsel table. Without warning, Loud delivered a powerful punch to Dohoney’s face, fracturing his orbital socket and rupturing the back of his eyeball.
The force of the blow stunned everyone present. Deputies quickly subdued Loud, and Dohoney was carried into the chambers of then-presiding Judge Lee Harris. Harris, who was in his office at the time of the assault, declared a mistrial.
Legal Consequences
On Friday, a Hill County grand jury indicted Loud on the aggravated assault charge. Loud, who was initially on trial for allegedly breaking into his grandmother’s home and assaulting her, now faces additional legal challenges.
The injury to Dohoney has raised concerns about safety and the need for courtroom security measures. Dohoney declined to comment on the attack, while District Attorney Pratt expressed satisfaction with the indictment, though he withheld the courtroom video to preserve the integrity of the case.
New Representation and Trial Venue
In the wake of the assault, Waco attorneys Phil Martinez and Alan Streetman were appointed to represent Loud in his burglary case. Martinez has indicated he might request a change of venue, citing the incident’s impact on potential jurors in Hill County.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case highlights the unpredictable dangers faced by public servants and the challenges of ensuring justice in volatile situations.
Reference News:- Man who punched lawyer in court, blinding him in one eye, indicted in Hill County, Texas