KILLER PUNCH
Accused murderer allegedly attacks public defender at trial
TRENTON » Alleged killer Randy K. Washington showed his violent side on Thursday when he allegedly attacked his public defender during his murder trial.
After the prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments and the jury dismissed for deliberations about 3:50 p.m. Thursday, “Washington suddenly and violently struck his attorney in the face with a closed fist,” the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office said.
A spokesman for the sheriff’s office intentionally declined to identify Washington’s lawyer by name, but it is public knowledge that Washington, 36, was being represented by state public defender Jessica Lyons.
While the attack was in progress, Sheriff’s Officers Joseph DiLissio and Joel Adams immediately grabbed Washington and pinned him to a courtroom table. A team of Sheriff’s Officers then assisted to secure Washington and to remove the victim from the immediate area, according to a sheriff’s office press release.
Washington, who has been accused of committing two separate murders and five robberies in the capital city between July 2014 and October 2014, is currently standing trial on charges he shot and killed 64-year-old Silas Johnson near the intersection of Market Street and the Route 1 overpass on the morning of Oct. 29, 2014.
Mercer County Superior Court Judge Darlene Pereksta was presiding over the case when Washington allegedly went bonkers Thursday. At the time, sheriff’s officers on the second floor of the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse quickly ran up the stairs with urgency and presumably entered into Pereksta’s courtroom to assist with the disturbance.
The victim was taken by ambulance to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment of multiple facial lacerations around her eye, according to the sheriff’s office. Washington was removed from the courthouse due to his alleged “combative behavior” and has been charged with aggravated assault.
The sheriff’s office described the incident as “a melee,” and Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler praised his officers for apprehending Washington.
“It is our sworn duty to protect the courts and all those involved in the judicial process,” he said. “We cannot and will not tolerate violence in our courthouses.”
Washington remains incarcerated at the Mercer County Correction Center on a high monetary bail that he has been unable to post. A jury of his peers will deliberate over his fate.
Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Stacey Geurds is prosecuting Washington on behalf of the state.
In addition to charging him with the murder of Silas Johnson, the state also accuses Washington of murdering George Jamison, 43, who was shot and killed July 30, 2014, while sitting on a bus stop bench in front of 18 North Broad St.
A spokesperson with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender on Friday said she could not confirm or deny that a public defender was the victim of Washington’s alleged attack.
“It is our sworn duty to protect the courts and all those involved in the judicial process. We cannot and will not tolerate violence in our courthouses.” —Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler