A Clark County Superior Court judge was injured Thursday afternoon when he stepped in to stop a defendant from allegedly attempting to assault a deputy prosecutor.
Roberto Diaz-Lara, 49, of Vancouver was on trial in Superior Court for three charges of first-degree child molestation – domestic violence in Judge Daniel Stahnke’s courtroom.
The trial wrapped up shortly before noon. The jury found Diaz-Lara guilty on all charges, Deputy Prosecutor Colin Hayes said.
According to video footage from the courtroom, once the jury was excused, Diaz-Lara abruptly left the defense table and attempted to strike Hayes. Diaz-Lara is seen in the video pointing at Hayes and yelling a profanity.
A Clark County deputy who was in the courtroom intervened and a struggle ensued, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Stahnke also tried to intervene in the physical altercation and sustained injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
Stahnke’s judicial assistant said the injuries were minor. Superior Court Administrator Jeff Amram said he did not see the altercation but later saw a bite mark on Stahnke’s cheek and arm.
With help from about a half-dozen courthouse deputies and security personnel, Diaz-Lara was subdued and taken into custody.
Diaz-Lara is being held at the Clark County Jail and faces two allegations of third-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault, the sheriff’s office said.
The incident is under investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.
