Prisoner Attacks Court Magistrate in Punta Gorda

This morning, chaos broke out at the Punta Gorda Magistrate’s Court when a prisoner allegedly attacked the Resident Magistrate, Sashawna Jody-Ann Thompson. The accused, Mason Kelly, who has a history of serious offenses, including burglary, assaulting a police officer, and attempted murder, reportedly lashed out during his court appearance. Kelly, who recently completed a fifteen-year sentence for attempted murder, was in court facing new charges. Magistrates have long voiced their worries about the lack of security at district courts, but they feel their concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Many believe that out-district magistrates are left to fend for themselves without proper security measures in place.