Fla. inmate allegedly attacks lawyer in delay ploy
LARGO, Fla. (AP) – A Florida inmate allegedly attacked his attorneys while trying to delay his impending sexual assault trial.
Bjorn Brunvand was the seventh lawyer appointed to represent 39-year-old Roderick L. Clark. The inmate has avoided trial since 2006 by continually accusing his attorneys of inappropriate conduct.
Clark tried to fire Brunvand and Mary Arena on Saturday, two days before his trial was to start.
When Brunvand said he couldn’t so close to trial, the inmate allegedly spat at and started punching him.
Brunvand suffered fractured ribs and bruises from his kidneys to his head. Another lawyer, Mary Arenas, was punched in the face trying to intervene.
The two attorneys withdrew Monday, and Clark was appointed another lawyer.
This time, the judge postponed his trial only a day.