A distressed uncle from Colorado reportedly body-slammed the defense lawyer of the man accused of murdering his nephew, resulting in serious injury to the attorney.
Daniel Ashby, 36, faces charges of second-degree assault after allegedly executing an “MMA-style takedown” on defense attorney H. Michael Steinberg in the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Littleton, Colorado.
Ashby was present for a hearing regarding Christopher Ramirez Rodriguez, 19, who allegedly ran a red light and caused the death of Ashby’s 12-year-old nephew back in July.
As per arrest documents, Steinberg was representing Ramirez-Rodriguez when Ashby is said to have “aggressively approached” him in the hallway, reportedly trying to confront the defendant.
Police mentioned that Steinberg pushed Ashby away to create some distance, but then Ashby executed the takedown, knocking Steinberg unconscious.
Steinberg was quickly transported to a local hospital where he was treated for multiple fractures in his spine.
In an email, Steinberg shared that he also sustained a “shattered pelvis,” is in “severe pain,” and is scheduled for surgery soon.
Immediately taken into custody, Ashby is currently held in Arapahoe County Jail on a $75,000 bail and is set to appear in court again this Friday.
Interestingly, Ashby’s older brother, who is the father of the deceased boy, attended the hearing but did not witness the incident. He expressed frustration with the legal process, indicating that emotions were heightened in the courtroom.
The judge handled the situation afterward with a firm reminder to both families not to “take justice into their own hands.”
Records reveal that Ashby has a troubled past with a lengthy criminal history, including various violations of legal orders.
Ramirez-Rodriguez, for his part, is accused of killing Ashby’s nephew when he struck the boy on his electric scooter. He reportedly stayed at the scene and was cooperative, with no signs of drugs or alcohol detected, although distracted driving is being investigated as a potential factor.
He has been charged with careless driving leading to death.
