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Inmate sucker punches lawyer, lawyer sues

Suing county commissioners, prison board, district attorney and sheriff’s deputies — but not his former death-row inmate client

NBC Philidelphia

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. — A defense attorney is suing a central Pennsylvania’s county commissioners, prison board, district attorney and sheriff’s deputies — but not his former death-row inmate client — for somehow allowing the handcuffed prisoner to sucker punch the lawyer in a courtroom May 13.

Blair County officials aren’t commenting on the lawsuit reported Tuesday by the Altoona Mirror.

Defense attorney Timothy Burns contends officials should have done more to prevent 46-year-old Andre Staton from slugging Burns, Staton’s court appointed lawyer. Staton is awaiting trial on assault charges, and was reportedly upset with Burns because a judge ruled against Staton at the appeal hearing.

Full story: Inmate Sucker Punches Lawyer, Lawyer Sues