DISORDER IN THE COURT
Lawyer busted for assaulting client at courthouse:
MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A Media attorney was arrested in the halls of the county courthouse Friday after allegedly assaulting a client in a custody matter.
Patrick Lomax, who has offices less than a block away from the courthouse, was arrested by Delaware County Park Police at about 2 p.m. Friday and charged with attempted simple assault and disorderly conduct for engaging in fighting, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause filed in Media District Court.
The affidavit indicates Park Police Officer Joseph LaSpina heard a commotion in the hallway outside Courtroom E and witnessed Lomax grab the alleged victim, Jeeteah Manyeah, hitting his head on the marble wall.
Lomax’s attorney, Kevin Wray, had no comment Friday.
Manyeah, a Liberian native who has lived in Upper Darby for 10 years, said he has not seen his son for two years. He said he paid Lomax $2,000 to represent him in a custody matter and Friday was his first court date.
Manyeah said he appeared before Master David McNulty in Courtroom E around 1 p.m. and was asked to wait in the hall. About 10 minutes later, he said Lomax approached with an offer from his son’s mother.
Manyeah said he rejected the offer and followed Lomax toward the courtroom. He was standing next to a wall asking the attorney why he was bringing him an offer from the child’s mother instead of engaging on Manyeah’s behalf.
“I said, ‘That’s what I paid you for,’” said Manyeah. “He just grabbed me by my mouth and neck and he just shoved me and said, ‘Shut up!’ I don’t even know what to do right now. First day of court, this is what happened … He told me to shut up, like I’m a kid. ‘Shut up, sit down! Shut up, sit down!’”
“It was the craziest thing I ever saw,” said John Quinlan, who said he was also in the hallway. “He pushed him up against the wall and grabbed his neck. I didn’t know it was his lawyer.”
“He’s a very big dude,” said Manyeah. “He’s like 6’3”, I’m 5’4”, 5’5”. This guy is a very big guy, towering over me and grabbing me.”
Manyeah said he visited the courthouse nurse and got some medication for a headache. He also planned to visit a hospital after meeting again with the master to review his options. Manyeah said he is definitely pressing charges.
“He told me, ‘Don’t get me arrested, I’ll give you your money back,’” Manyeah said. “It took me damn near six months to collect $2,000 and then I give him that money to beat me up?”
An attorney biography
Patrick Lomax, who has offices less than a block away from the courthouse, was arrested by Delaware County Park Police at about 2 p.m. Friday and charged with attempted simple assault and disorderly conduct for engaging in fighting, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause filed in Media District Court.
on attorney directory site Avvo indicates Lomax has been licensed for 12 years and practices in the areas of criminal defense, DUI and DWI, family, bankruptcy, child custody and violent crime. He has three five-star reviews on that site.
Lomax was preliminarily arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Deborah Krull in Media. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 12, according to court records.
Manyeah said he would go to the hearing, but is more concerned with finding another lawyer and seeing his son.
“I’m just worried about how long this thing is going to go on again,” he said.