Man killed after attacking judge in Stockton court [View All]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

A man on trial for killing his girlfriend was shot to death inside a Stockton courtroom Wednesday afternoon, after he attacked the judge presiding over his murder trial.

David Paradiso was fatally shot after he left the stand and began attacking San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Cinda Fox during a break in proceedings, said Karen McConnell, a county spokeswoman.

McConnell said Paradiso had been testifying at about 2 p.m. when his mother, in the audience, left the courtroom upset. Fox called a recess, and as jurors filed out, Paradiso left the stand and approached the judge from behind, she said.

Witnesses reported seeing Paradiso lift the judge and begin punching and possibly stabbing her when bailiffs ran to her aid and shots rang out.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/04/state/n155948S25.DTL&tsp=1