A Florida judge stepped down from the bench on Monday, challenging a defense attorney to a fight in the hallway of a Brevard County courtroom.
Judge John Murphy got so angry with veteran public defender Andrew Weinstock and the two exchanged words, after the judge tried to pressure him to ask his client to waive his right to a speed trial.
“You know, if I had a rock I would throw it at you right now,” Murphy told the attorney. “Stop pissing me off. Just sit down.”
“You know, I’m the public defender,” Weinstock responded. “I have a right to be here, and I have a right to stand and represent my client.”
The Judge then challenged the attorney to go into a hallway where the two could fight it out.
“If you want to fight, let’s go out back, and I’ll just beat your ass,” Murphy said, and the two men left the courtroom.
Although the two men are not seen fighting on camera, the scuffling was captured on audio. According to reports, two deputies broke up the fight.
Courtroom observers applauded when it appeared that the fight had ended.
