SAN DIEGO –– A mistrial was declared Monday when a home-invasion robbery suspect smeared human feces on his attorney's face then threw more at the jury.

Weusi McGowan, 37, was upset because San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Fraser refused to remove Deputy Alternate Public Defender Jeffrey Martin from the case, prosecutor Christopher Lawson said.

At the mid-morning break, McGowan produced a plastic baggie filled with fecal matter and spread it on Martin's hair and face, then flung the excrement toward the jury box, hitting the briefcase of juror No. 9 but missing the juror himself.

"That juror didn't even see it coming," Lawson said.

The prosecutor said the defendant was compliant after the outburst and was taken into custody without further incident.

After lunch, Fraser dismissed the jury, telling them McGowan would have to get a new lawyer and that his trial would be delayed.

The judge scheduled a status conference for Feb. 9 and raised the defendant's bail from $250,000 to $1 million, finding he is a danger to the community.

Lawson said McGowan originally became upset last week when he claimed one of the jurors saw him in shackles as he entered the courtroom. Fraser dismissed all jurors who saw the defendant in shackles, the prosecutor said.

"The judge had been very fair," Lawson said. "All jurors who saw it were dismissed."

Fraser had also denied McGowan's attempt to represent himself, saying the request was untimely, Lawson said.

The prosecutor said the defendant had previously wiped human feces on himself and was examined by doctors to ensure he was mentally competent to stand trial.

McGowan is charged with kidnapping for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and other counts and could face assault charges in connection with the attack on his attorney and jury, Lawson said.

The prosecutor said the defendant hit a man with a rock in a sock as the victim came out of his home to investigate a commotion on Oct. 17, 2007.

McGowan allegedly ransacked the man's apartment then stole some of the victim's belongings and took off in the victim's car.

He was arrested 20 minutes later, Lawson said.

If I were his lawyer, I would remain on the case.

....and make sure that I did a real good job.  

I would be real surprised if the attorney didn't retire.  He is a Public Defender.

Shitty situation.

just dropped by to shit in this thread!

What a crappy job.

I bet he's a real brown noser at work.

Shit happens.  What can brown do for you ?  

He got his ass handed to him.

That's a good way to get your license revoked. Not worth it.

I decided long ago that I would not pursue a career as an attorney as I would never be able to represent the guilty.  It's beyond my capacity to try to get scumbags a chance to go free.


CJ

I guarantee you that the Public Defender will claim PTSD and will retire courtesy of the taxpayers.

I wouldnt take that shit from anyone.

Can an attorney be fired for coming to court shit faced?

I think they should make the bottom of an outhouse his holding cell...

He made himself a big ole shit sammich and now he's gonna have to take a bite.

Whatta ya call a room full of lawyers buried up to their necks in shit?

Not enough shit.

My apologies to any ARFCOM members who may be attorneys. We all know you are the good guys.

Good thing it's winter time.  If there had been a fan in there, there's no tellin' what might have happened...

New Day...

                       ...Same Old Shit!

BIGGER_HAMMER

A man flinging feces with his bare hand.

Is there still anyone on this board who does NOT believe that humans and the Great Apes are descended from a common ancestor?

Oh shit.

That was a pretty shitty thing to do.

gotta be german

They make good stuff.

Are you afraid the fan might have been hit?