(Press Release) Thursday morning, a disturbance broke out at the main courthouse at Fresno & Van Ness which ended in the arrest of 23-year-old Juan Hernandez on charges of attempted murder.
The attack occurred in Department 61 where Hernandez and two others are defendants in a murder trial.
Shortly after 11:00 a.m., the Judge and attorneys had left the courtroom for a meeting in the Judge’s chambers. Court was still in session and on the record with almost 90 prospective jurors and three deputies in the courtroom.
Hernandez, who was seated and shackled at counsel’s table with the other two defendants, suddenly attacked co-defendant, 27-year-old Ramanjit Hundal with a small razor blade.
The three deputies immediately intervened, secured Hernandez, and moved Hundal out of the courtroom. Hundal was eventually taken to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment of several non-life threatening stab wounds.
Hernandez was transported back to the jail and charged with attempted murder.
The third defendant was also transported back to the jail. He was not involved or injured during the disturbance. The weapon was recovered after the assault, lying on the counsel table.
More than 20 deputies responded to the disturbance from other areas of the courthouse. The prospective jurors were moved to a nearby empty courtroom where they were interviewed by detectives.
The investigation is being handled by detectives from the Homicide Unit and MAGEC.
TXT 24
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