Man attacks cops, eats court paperwork off wall
Syracuse, NY December 2 2018— A Syracuse man, handcuffed to a bench after attacking court officers, turned and began to eat paperwork affixed to the wall, according to court officials.
Michael Speer, 40, was deemed too unstable to be taken to the jail, so he was transferred to a nearby hospital for several hours Wednesday before being booked, officials said.
Speer was charged with felony attempted assault on a peace officer for the 12:51 p.m. incident that began in the Syracuse City Court Clerk’s Office. He was not charged for eating the paperwork, which apparently included a calendar of court cases.
Speer’s day at the downtown criminal courthouse began with a trip to the court clerk’s office, looking to sue someone in small claims court over a futon, officials said.
While there, he began giving the clerks a hard time. The chief clerk, James Jecen, came over and Speer continued his vulgar, disruptive behavior, officials said.
When court security officers — who have police powers — arrived, he continued his antics.
When an officer attempted to remove Speer, he tried to elbow the officer in the head, according to a criminal complaint. After being arrested, Speer refused to put his hands behind his back and tried to pull away, the complaint states.
It took numerous officers to subdue Speer, causing entry to the courthouse to be temporarily suspended during the commotion.
Speer then tried to kick several officers in the face, according to the complaint.
He was eventually taken to the holding area, where he started eating the paperwork off the wall.
Speer was arraigned on the charges Thursday before Judge Ted Limpert. He remains in jail on $5,000 bail and could face a possible prison sentence.
Syracuse.com
