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Convict lunging for officer's gun killed by bailiff

Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
edited November 2001 in General Discussion
Convict lunging for officer's gun killed by bailiff By ANGELA K. BROWN Associated Press DENTON -- A bailiff at a North Texas courthouse fatally shot a convicted bank robber Tuesday afternoon when the man tried to grab another officer's gun. Associated Press Two people embrace in the parking lot of the Denton County Courts building Tuesday after a bailiff fatally shot a convicted bank robber when the inmate tried to grab another officer's gun. No other injuries were reported, spokesman Kevin Patton of the Denton County Sheriff's Department said. The shooting happened about 3:30 p.m. when Courtney Jermaine Bourda, 23, was being escorted out of the courtroom to a holding area on the third floor of the Denton County Courts building. He had been on trial on charges of kidnapping and assaulting a public servant relating to the bank robbery. The jury had just been escorted out of the courtroom for an afternoon break, said Lee Ann Breading, an assistant district attorney who was in her office across from the courtroom. Bourda, who was not handcuffed, grabbed for a bailiff's gun and wrestled him to the floor. A second bailiff then fatally shot Bourda in the head with a .45-caliber pistol, Patton said. No one else witnessed the shooting. The building was then closed for 40 minutes, Patton said. "As fast as things were happening, you have to make a judgment call there," Patton said. Bourda died at the scene, Patton said. Authorities did not immediately release the bailiffs' names. The shooting occurred outside the 16th District courtroom, where state District Judge John Narsutis was presiding over Bourda's trial. Bourda already was serving a life prison term after the March 2000 aggravated robbery conviction. Breading said all charges stem from the bank robbery in Lewisville on Feb. 17, 1999. Bourda was also accused of kidnapping a man from a car wash and placing the man in the trunk of his own vehicle. Bourda was then involved in a shootout with authorities with the man still in the trunk, Breading said. Bourda was wounded. She said Bourda had a violent juvenile history. Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Larry Todd said Bourda had a minimum custody level when he was behind bars. Bourda was most recently in the Eastham Unit in Lovelady, Todd said. "Since he's been in the state prison, he has not been a problem," Todd said. Patti Biffar, who works in the district attorney's office, said she did not hear a gunshot and did not know exactly what happened until a half-hour later. "We were told to stay in our office for fear that someone was walking around with a gun," Biffar said. The building, which also houses county offices, has metal detectors and guards at the entrance. "We have all the latest security measures that we can take," Patton said. The courthouse shooting is the second in Texas in two weeks. On Oct. 24 in Orange, an inmate wrestled a gun from an Orange County sheriff's deputy and used it to shoot another deputy in the leg as he was being escorted to a court hearing, authorities said. Keith Wayne Gonzales surrendered 45 minutes after holding another inmate hostage along with Deputy Carla Spell, from whom he wrestled the gun. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/metropolitan/1122582

Comments

  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    UNHANDCUFFED!!!????Despite the poor tactics, it is after all another final conviction at no cost to taxpayers.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You know how some judges are-No handcuffs allowed on the defendant so as not to prejudice jury members. They say it makes them look guilty.This deal will probably end up costing the taxpayers after his family sues because less than lethal means weren't available. Shock belts should be utilized more in these type situations.
  • concealedG36concealedG36 Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If this creep's family sues and actually wins I'll be astounded. What did this idiot think would happen when he lunged for a gun? Nunn, right on, we got rid of that piece of trash once and for all...
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Close-range .45 to the head, huh? Damn! That's gotta hurt.
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • berto64berto64 Member Posts: 57 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Didn't hurt for long, I betcha!berto
    What! Trade my M-14 for that plastic piece of ___t!Endeavor to Persevere
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