Sheriff: Cook County Jail Inmate Attacked Public Defender During Visit
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Cook County Jail inmate allegedly attacked his public defender Wednesday, during a visit at the jail.
The Cook County Sheriff's office said officers confiscated a shank – a homemade knife – from 18-year-old Jimmie Smith after the attack. The shank was made from an asthma pump.
A spokeswoman said it was not clear if Smith used the shank in the attack on Assistant Public Defender Richard Kruss. Smith, 39, was handcuffed during the visit around 2 p.m.
Eleven years ago, Kruss was attacked by another inmate inside a courtroom, when he was knocked to the floor, and hit his head.
"It's the irony of all ironies that it should happen twice to Richard in his career at the office, because he's a great guy, and this is just astonishing," First Assistant Public Defender Patrick Reardon said.
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Kruss was treated for injuries Wednesday, and was expected to be okay, according to Reardon.
"He's not the only one, by the way, who has been cold-cocked by a client in the courtroom over the years. There have been several incidents. It's just one of those things that goes with the territory here in the office, but it is disconcerting," he said.
Charges were pending against Smith for Wednesday's attack. He was being held without bond for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and bringing contraband into a penal institution.
