Summary: Two attorneys got caught up in their emotions by throwing swings at each other during a custody hearing for their clients.
It’s not every day that you get to see two lawyers squaring off against each other in a fist fight. Those in the courtroom of Judge Andrew Spivey on Wednesday got to see just that.
Pierce County Sheriff Ramsey Bennett is usually taking people from contentious court hearings straight to jail but not usually the lawyers of those people. Lawyers John Thigpen Jr. and Kenneth E Futch were in the courtroom that day to represent their clients in a child custody hearing.
Bennett was the first one to reach the fighting lawyers. He said, “I was the first one to them. I and my two captains separated them.”
Thigpen represents the father, Brantley Bowen. Futch represents the mother, Dana Larson Bowen. The two are in the midst of a divorce. Dana was recently arrested on drug-related charges, leading to the custody hearing of their child.
Bennett explained, “About two hours into the hearing, the lawyers were in a fist fight. I don’t mean pushing and shoving. I mean a fist fight.” Superior Court Judge Spivey found both lawyers in contempt and sentenced them to a night in county lockup. Bennett continued, “He said this hearing is concluded and you two gentleman are going to jail.” However, Spivey later allowed Bennett to release them once they had settled down. “They spent a couple of hours with us,” Bennett stated.
Domestic hearings often have things turn a little ugly but generally, the lawyers are not the ones involved. These lawyers have extra beef between them that fueled the fire.
Their problems started last year when a handicapped parking sign was placed in front of this law office. He was upset about the placement of the reserved parking. The city refused to move the sign so he kept parking in the spot, receiving several parking tickets. Thigpen started going to Blackshear Municipal Court where Futch was the judge. Thigpen offered to represent clients for free and would transfer the cases to Pierce County State Court, preventing Futch from being able to hand out any fines. Futch threatened to arrest Thigpen for soliciting clients during court.
Their animosity towards each other continued when Thigpen represented Futch’s wife Sheila. She had been charged with aggravated assault for a shooting at their home in April 2016. Thigpen claimed he had an audio tape of Futch using racial slurs while yelling at his wife in their home. In order to save the city, and most likely himself, from any embarrassment, Futch resigned as city judge. In an interview regarding his resignation, Futch said, “I would like to be judged by my professionalism and fairness in my public life and not” private matters.
Futch’s client Dana has her own problems to worry about. Blackshear police are investigating a possible break-in to her office in Blackshear. Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens has the fraud investigators looking into the incident, looking for any transactions at her agency that don’t appear right. So far they have received a few tips in insurance transactions. Spokesman Glenn Allen urges anyone that purchased insurance from her to contact the insurance company on the policy to make sure they have coverage. He also encourages anyone that has paid for insurance but has not received a copy of the policy to contact the insurance commissioner.
Police have since executed search warrants for her agency and home. She has been charged with possession of cocaine, a felony, and possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Would you be looking for a new lawyer if yours was involved in a fist fight during your court hearing? Tell us what you would do in the comments below.
To learn more about attorneys caught in physical fights, read these articles:
- Lawyer Alleges D.A. Investigator Beat Him Inside Orange County Courthouse
- Brevard County Judge and Public Defender Fight in Hallway of Courtroom
- Lawyer Gets Aroused by Physical Fight between Ex-Girlfriend and Current Girlfriend
Photo: io9.com