Assault On Attorney Leads To Civil Commitment Order

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed an order of civil commitment of a person who was unhappy with an attorney:

…defendant was charged with one count of simpleassault and one count of resisting arrest.  The State alleged that onMarch 30, 2011, defendant went uninvited to attorney Herbert Ogden’s office inDanby.  Attorney Ogden represents defendant’s brothers in a contestedestate matter against defendant.  Defendant demanded that attorney Ogdenpay defendant money that he alleged that attorney Ogden owed him.  Notobtaining immediate satisfaction, defendant punched attorney Ogden in the jawand attempted to hold his  arms behind his back and place him underarrest.  After repeatedly being told to leave by attorney Ogden, defendantultimately left the office.

The court also rejected a claim that the trial judge improperly failed to recuse herself. (Mike Frisch)