This is the shocking moment a defendant punched his own lawyer in the face during a courtroom hearing while standing trial for attacking a prison officer.
Footage of the assault shows Lamont Payne striking out after being ordered to leave proceedings for repeatedly interrupting the judge in Arizona, United States.
CCTV shows the defendant standing and turning before smashing his fist into attorney Vladimir Gagic, who was sat down. He reportedly felt "ignored" by his lawyer.
"He was wearing and rolling his eyes and making a scene," Mr Gagic told local news network KTVK . "Just causing a commotion and being a troublemaker."
The punch left the lawyer with a bloodied nose but he was otherwise unhurt.
"I didn't feel any force," he said. "I didn't feel like pain or anything like that. It was just salty because you're tasting somebody's skin. It's kind of gross, but that's what I remember."
He said he had been a lawyer "for close to 20 years, and I've had all sorts of clients, but nobody actually acted out on it".
Although the incident happened in 2018, it emerged this week after Mr Gagic announced he would be suing Maricopa County Public Defence Service, who he was handling the case for.
They terminated his contract shortly afterwards and he claimed he was not given a proper explanation.
In a statement about the decision, a spokesperson for the county said: "Mr Gagic's contract was placed on a temporary hold after multiple complaints about lack of communication with clients and another attorney."
