Chaos erupted in a Massachusetts courthouse on Tuesday as the family of a man accused of murder in a street assault clashed with the victim’s family after the hearing.
According to reports, Ryan Sweat, 36, appeared in Framingham District Court on April 4th on charges of murdering Destini Dekov, 26, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. boston 25 news.
However, after Mr. Sweat’s arraignment, a scuffle broke out outside the courtroom and chaos erupted.
In footage obtained by the station, both families can be seen shouting and swearing at each other shortly before the brief violent exchange begins.
Police and court officials quickly arrived to break up the brawl.
No one was seriously injured in the brawl, although Dekoff’s aunt, Dawn Anderson, was seen blowing blood from her neck with a whip after the violence in court.
Anderson was escorted away from the scene by two officers and claimed that one of Sweat’s family members was able to grab her “to the ground” after unsuccessfully trying to grab her by the hair.
Police told the report that no arrests were made after the fight.
Although the groups clashed, Dekov’s family is determined to see their loved ones and alleged killers feel the full wrath of the justice system.
“Destini will get some form of justice, but his family is sick, sick, sick, sick,” Anderson told the magazine.
Investigators learned that Sweat was driving a Honda Civic on Route 85 last month when he allegedly got into a roadside altercation with a Toyota.
Two cars then stopped and Dekov and the group of people she was with got out of the car.
Sweat reportedly drove away, but prosecutors allege he made a U-turn at high speed and hit the victim in the roadway.
“I knew something was going on. I could see there was a little bit of road violence going on,” said witness Brett Martin. WCVB. “All her clothes were taken off. I actually grabbed her jacket. Just to cover her up.”
Dekov was seriously injured in the accident and died in hospital two days later.
Sweat’s lawyer, Derege Dimissi, argued that his client “didn’t see” Dekov and “didn’t intend to kill her.”
His lawyer claims he was worried that he would be killed by other Toyota members and that he punched Dekov as he tried to run away fearing for his life.
Police recovered a knife from the crime scene, but investigators found his story did not match what security footage and witnesses had seen.
Mr. Sweat was arrested and pleaded not guilty on April 5.
The victim’s mother, Tracy DeKoff, said Sweat’s actions were “deliberate” and believes he killed her daughter.
“If Massachusetts had the death penalty, I would want it,” she told Boston 25 News.
She said her daughter was “beautiful inside and out” and had never done “anything for anyone.”
Sweat was previously charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon inflicting serious bodily injury, dangerous driving and gross lane violation.
He was charged with murder following a hearing on Tuesday.
Mr. Sweat is currently being held without bail.
