Deputy Shoots, Kills Defendant In Milwaukee Courtroom

WISN news 12 ^ | May 29, 2002 | Unknown

[A. Morgan]

	Deputy Shoots, Kills Defendant In Milwaukee Courtroom Posted: 11:51 a.m. CDT May 29, 2002 Updated: 12:05 p.m. CDT May 29, 2002 MILWAUKEE -- There has been a shooting on the third floor of the Milwaukee Public Safety building in downtown Milwaukee. WISN 12 News was told that a defendant pulled a gun and shot a sheriff's deputy in the abdomen/groin area. A bailiff in the courtoom shot and killed the defendant. The defendant, a 20-year-old male, was on trial for felony murder and armed robbery.

[FormerLurker]

I understand the bailiff having a gun. But how in the heck did the defendant get a gun into a courtroom?

Any more details?

From Defendant Shot, Killed In Milwaukee Courtoom

WISN 12 News was told that a defendant on trial allegedly reached for a gun that belonged to a bailiff in the courtroom and fired a shot a sheriff's deputy. The shot hit the deputy in the abdomen/groin area.

[AdA$tra]

Further proof that gun control is really just keeping the gun under your control and hitting your target.

[NerdDad]

I remember growing up in West Texas and hearing occasionally of an officer being killed in the line of duty and someone subsequently shooting the killer. I recall that the law enforcement agency affected always gave an engraved .45 to any citizen who killed a cop-killer. It made it perfectly clear that if you killed a cop, you had no safe harbor. Our policemen defended us and we defended them. We all felt safer as a result.

[JohnMac]

In all likelyhood, given the nature of the crime, the Defendant would have been shackled and needed assistance to walk. In that case two bailiffs would likely have been on either side of the Defendant, giving him "a choice" of who was paying less attention to his sidearm. Believe it or not, it's the same rationale as why hospitals make patients ride in wheel chairs; if they fall, they will sue you.

[AppyPappy]

Well then, we need a law requiring people to observe the law.

[Ken H]

"The defendant was on trial for felony murder and armed robbery."

Not any more.

[July 4th]

Here's more info:

A sheriff's deputy was shot inside the Milwaukee County Safety Building Wednesday after tussling with a man who had just been found guilty in a homicide and robbery case.

Laron Ball, 20, was in turn shot and killed by a homicide detective who was in court at the time, witnesses said. Ball was in court for his role in the robbery and shooting death of an Oregon man, who was killed during a visit to Milwaukee in December.

According to witnesses:

The injured deputy was facing the jury as the guilty verdict was being delivered. Ball jumped the defense table and lunged at the deputy.

He was able to get the deputy's service revolver and shoot him in the groin area.

At that time, Alfonso Morales, the lead detective in the homicide case against Ball, stood at the prosecution table and shot the defendant. The shooting took place on the third floor inside Judge Daniel Konkol's courtroom, witnesses said Wednesday.

Shortly after the shooting, the southeast corner of the third floor was sealed off with desks, chairs and benches.

[Kaslin]

How the hell did a defendent walk into a courtroom with a gun?

Linda Vester from FNC just broke in and said he mangaged somewhat to grab the gun from a deputy

[Riley]

WISN 12 News was told that a defendant pulled a gun and shot a sheriff's deputy in the abdomen/groin area.

I don't think this would have helped his case.

[Kaslin]

He didn't come into the court room with a gun. He grabbeed it from a deputy

[July 4th]

Looks like Wisconsin has re-instated the death penalty! Hoo-yah!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

How the hell did a defendent walk into a courtroom with a gun?

Because searching protected minorities is considered to be profiling.

[xrp]

Finally...tax dollars (1 bullet) well spent!

[Bikers4Bush]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he was guilty.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Laron Ball, 20, was in turn shot and killed by a homicide detective who was in court at the time, witnesses said.

Someone send this to the President and Congress. Tell them this would work on jet airliners too.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The family of the deceased scumbag will now sue Detective Morales for wrongful death.

[TC Rider]

I suspect there will be a lot of deputies headed out to the range for some mandatory weapon retention drills.

I'm glad the detective was able to shoot him like a rabid dog in the courtroom. He saved the taxpayers a ton of money.

Give that man the gold engraved 1911A

[Trust but Verify]

Sounds like suicide by cop. Fine with me. Just sorry the bailiff took a bullet first.

The detective should be given a medal!

[Trust but Verify]

Can you imagine the spectacle of this? In front of the jury and the judge, etc? MAN!

[paul51]

Too bad he couldn't get an attorney or two while he was at it.