Oct. 31--A 30-year-old man who allegedly attacked a judge overseeing his case Thursday in a Maywood courtroom has been hit with new charges, officials said Friday.
Michael Ganter of Bellwood appeared in bond court Friday, where he was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail on new felony charges of aggravated battery and resisting arrest, according to the Cook County sheriff's office.
Ganter was also ordered held without bail for the original charges of aggravated battery and attempted murder, officials said.
Ganter faced new charges after he allegedly punched the judge in the head and face, officials said. The judge may also have been injured by a Taser that Cook County sheriff's officials were using to try to subdue the man.
"It was a terrifying experience for the judge,'' Cook County Jail Executive Director Cara Smith said.
The judge was taken to a local hospital, where he was evaluated and was expected to be OK, officials said. Judge Geary Kull was working in the courtroom at the time the incident occurred, according to records.
Ganter, who was not handcuffed at the time, appeared before the judge about noon Thursday for a status hearing on his original case, and, when it was finished, two sheriff's deputies began to escort him into the holding area, Smith said.
"He broke free and lunged at the judge,'' she said.
The two deputies and other law enforcement officers in the courtroom were able to stun and control the defendant, Smith said.
"Our first and primary concern is the judge's well-being,'' she said.
