Courtroom Attack Caught on Tape

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Posted: 1:13 PM Feb 5, 2008
Last Updated: 3:14 PM Feb 5, 2008
Reporter: NBC NewsChannel
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

58 comments

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A Kentucky attorney is knocked out cold in court by the man he was representing and it's caught on camera.

Peter Hafer asked a judge in Scott County for a new attorney Monday because he didn't feel like his attorney was doing a good job.

When the judge said no, Hafer took out his frustration on his public defender.

He hit him in the face with a fast right hook, knocking the man to the ground.

Court security quickly jumped in to help.

Hafer says he snapped and doesn't remember what happened.

"I just hit him, I mean I just, that's pretty much it. Just knocked him out. I can hit like a mule. But, I mean that's beside the point. I wasn't really thinking about doing it, it just kinda more or less just happened,” said Hafer.

Hafer is in jail on a felony theft charge.

He now faces additional charges.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: BGM on Feb 8, 2008 at 06:54 AM
LIFE GOES ON!!!!

Posted by: unknown on Feb 7, 2008 at 03:00 AM
This man really needs locked up!

Posted by: JENNA on Feb 6, 2008 at 07:16 PM
harv, it isn't peter's birthday. His birthday isn't until May. Don't act like you know him now just because he's famous.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 6, 2008 at 06:28 PM
everyone is making a joke of this , well i am not i work the court system every day and the public does not know about this kink of people i am glad i have not went through this yot but i give thumbs up to the bailffs . keep up the good work the ones who gets no respect

Posted by: Lee on Feb 6, 2008 at 06:22 PM
To Rick Next time you have an opinion about Kentucky keep it to yourself. I assume you are from West Virginia or SE Ohio if that is the case you have no room to make comments about Kentucky. Just take a look around where you live and I am sure you will see plenty of dumb, toothless, meth taking rednecks so the next time you have a comment Rick keep it to yourself. And if you do live in Kentucky please leave.

Posted by: attorney on Feb 6, 2008 at 04:46 PM
He didn't even hit me. I was just playing possum so I can sue him. Jenna, expect your youngun to have fewer meals cause I'm going to Tahiti with your man's money. I just bought my bermuda shorts.

Posted by: Hope on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Dear God, please don't let him have children.

Posted by: Blaze on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:22 PM
wow what a sucker punching loser. Looks like he'll be spending plenty more time in the gray bar hotel. Enjoy the orange jumpsuit Potsie.

Posted by: WSAZ Watcher on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:02 PM
mule ??? I can think of another word I would use to describe this fella.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 6, 2008 at 02:48 PM
jenna, a true "tough guy" would never throw such a suckerpunch. that was a coward trying to act big. i've seen girls fight face to face (no cheap shots) and hit harder than that. What a chicken.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 6, 2008 at 02:45 PM
jenna, grow up honey and get used to talking to your man behind bars. what a GOOD MAN he must be.lol And i wouldn't be makin fun of Seth's name. It isn't a girly name, and actually it is a biblical name. If that word is too over your head..biblical.. that means it is in the Bible.

Posted by: windy bill on Feb 6, 2008 at 01:15 PM
that guy is awesome! wish i was as tough!

Posted by: joe on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Funny the guy hit the only person trying to help him

Posted by: Darren on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I bet this guy's kid is proud of her papa.

Posted by: Stephanie on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
To anonymous: "let him represent himself, maybe he'll knock himself out"--too funny. I would be really proud of myself if I was him. I'm sure other lawyers will be lining up to represent him now. I'm glad I've got my husband's good character, kind nature, sharp intelligence and honesty to be proud of. I guess if your man doesn't possess those things, you find what you can to brag about.

Posted by: Seth on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Jenna, I'd talk about names. Your man is named after his favorite food.

Posted by: harv on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:06 AM
windy bill, you peeping through windows again? how'd you know about the pajamas?

Posted by: teresia on Feb 6, 2008 at 09:47 AM
this says alot for kentucky!not

Posted by: PAC mule on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:49 AM
I am punching myself in the face right now! This crackhead is proud of his self. I bet jared fogle from the subway commercials could whip this idiot with 12 inches of Italian bread. Man, I'm getting hungry now. If I was his lawyer, I would have dodged that punch and got him in an Egyptian ear hold! Look out tough guy !

Posted by: John on Feb 6, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Yeah this guy was a total moron, and trust me folks he probably got some "good ole justice served on him" when he got back to his cell. These people are morons through and through. He would have probably got a plea deal and some probation, now he will definitely get some jail time because no attorney in his right mind is gonna give him "good" representation. The inmates are no longer allowed to wear restraints in a courtroom because our almighty Supreme Court has said "it makes them look guilty and can bias a jury". It will take someone getting killed during a hearing before the Court re-thinks its stand on prisoner restraint.

Posted by: billy bad arse on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:38 AM
good one dude!! lol your friend billy supports ya man! very proud up in here

Posted by: citizen on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:19 AM
I reckin anybody can hit like a mule when a sucker punch is thrown, typical wimp

Posted by: harv on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:17 AM
go peter, go peter, its ya birthday go peter , go peter....

Posted by: womanly men on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:14 AM
mike are you related to this guy? you and himreally sound like bad boys..lol not!!!

Posted by: lester on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:59 PM
peter can hit like a man. hes really good in fights. ouch i bet that hurt

Posted by: windy bill on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:52 PM
why does my name always come up in these blog rooms? They should do a story on me. Hey harv, if your so "awesome" why do you still wear pokemon pajamas?

Posted by: LYNN on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:22 PM
PETER IS A COOL GUY. WE DATED FOR A WHILE AND ARE STILL CLOSE FRIENDS. HIS LAWYER DESERVED IT.IM GLAD PETER STOOD UP FOR HIMSELF.

Posted by: JENNA on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:14 PM
SETH MY MAN WOULD BEAT HIM DOWN. THAT GIRLY LAWYER HAS NO CHANCE AND HAD THAT HIT COMING TO HIM..LOL, THAT LAWYER WOULDNT FIGHT AND YOU SOUND LIKE A GIRLY BOY TOO WITH A NAME LIKE SETH, SOMEONE MY MAN WOULD BEAT TO A PULP..LOL

Posted by: kellie on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:09 PM
ok mike on here hits like roy jones jr, and this peter hits like a mule, i just wish you both had a brain..lol sounds like mike wants his 15 minutes of fame as well. pathetic.

Posted by: TimboNunnery on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Wow..now he is more trouble! genius

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:46 PM
let him represent himself. Maybe he'll knock himself out.

Posted by: ashamed on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:37 PM
some fine people we have in this area isnt it? i proud of where my tax money is going. way to go idiot!

Posted by: Mike on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:26 PM
What a pansy. Anyone that takes a shot like that on someone unexpecting. If your strong and bad as u say, why not at least look em in the eye first. Lucky I wasn't in that courtroom partner. I hit like Roy Jones Jr.

Posted by: Harv on Feb 5, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Windy Bill, you wouldn't be so windy if you just quit eating beans.

Posted by: Seth on Feb 5, 2008 at 09:53 PM
JENNA, yeah your baby doll is real tough suckerpunching someone. Maybe they should let the lawyer settle it with him in a steel cage. I'll take the lawyer by "brains."

Posted by: JENNA on Feb 5, 2008 at 08:50 PM
WELL GOOD FOR YOU BABYDOLL! ME AND PETER HAVE A CHILD TOGETHER AND I LOVE THIS MAN VERY MUCH.HIS LAWYER WASNT DOING HIS JOB, SOOO, WELL THATS WHAT YOU GET, RIGHT BABE?LOL AND YES HE IS STRONG AS A MULE, TRUST ME!!

Posted by: randy on Feb 5, 2008 at 08:48 PM
good job peter..lol were all proud of you and that right hook! you is da man!!

Posted by: anonymous in Ohio on Feb 5, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Why wasn't he in Handcuffs? This could have been prevented.

Posted by: Rick on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:45 PM
I warn't thinkin' bout it...it just happened...What a rube! The Duct Tape Bandit, the McMorons, and now Muley....Thank you Kentucky!

Posted by: windy bill on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:36 PM
harv you don't ever know what you are talking about i think he was trying to choke the guy you always have to bring up animals don't you harv don't you

Posted by: TheOtherOne on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Either this guy may be one of the Worlds biggest idiots. Or this is his attempt at an insanity plea.

Posted by: Harv on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:10 PM
He can hit like a mule and is almost as smart.

Posted by: buddy on Feb 5, 2008 at 05:08 PM
they need kimbo slice in that court room as a body guard. fight videos are always awlsome . "I love rivers ad Coal" llong live windy

Posted by: WAIT!!! on Feb 5, 2008 at 03:59 PM
"IT WASN'T ME!!! IT WAS THE DUCK TAPE BANDIT!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 5, 2008 at 03:34 PM
It takes a real man to sucker punch someone. Thats why you behind bars totally classless!

Posted by: dave on Feb 5, 2008 at 03:33 PM
What an idiot. Now he has assault charges and will probably be sued by the lawyer with a prosecutor and judge as witnesses. "I can hit like a mule" Guess he thinks like one too!

Posted by: Ella on Feb 5, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I really feel bad for the Caruthers woman and also the brotherin law that lost his life . In my opinion the brother in law was an adult and that lady didn't twist his arm to take it or to use the alcohol with it. But again this war with drugs has hurt the children AGAIN !! When will people wake up ? I don't want to confuse anyone in thinking that I feel what she did was right because it wasn't because they both made very bad choices. I hope that something good will come out of this and both families get to church and learn to forgive each other. PLEASE pray for the families.

Posted by: Concerned on Feb 5, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Why don't they have these criminals in handcuffs instead of just letting him stand there. They're luck that all he did was hit the man. What if he would have grab him by the throat and wouldn't let go. The man could have been killed. It's ridiculous how these court systems just let these crazy criminals just overtake our system. It's amazing. Wow.

Posted by: gene on Feb 5, 2008 at 03:01 PM
another public pretender not doing his job got what he deserved

Posted by: bob on Feb 5, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I'm glad he did it. Lawyers need to be aware that they are not untouchable!

Posted by: Redneck Messiah on Feb 5, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Bwa ha ha ha ha. Dirty filthy lawyers, they ALL got it coming. Too Too Funny!

Posted by: Robert Franklin on Feb 5, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I love it,I love it,I love it !!

Posted by: Debbie on Feb 5, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Pedro, it would have been funnier if the lawyer would've kicked his you know what.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 5, 2008 at 02:43 PM
best laugh I've had all week.

Posted by: EC on Feb 5, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Hope this makes Fox News!

Posted by: Pedro on Feb 5, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I could watch this all day. Love it.

Posted by: Kentucky on Feb 5, 2008 at 01:39 PM
What a piece of crap!Cant even get an attorney then the state pays for one for you and you knock him out.Id say you wasnt thinking.What in idiot!

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Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
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