By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Sheriff’s Police have beefed up security at the Law and Justice Center since a man in mid-July smuggled a knife into a courtroom and stabbed himself after he was convicted of child molestation.
The extra security was a welcome presence Wednesday when a uniformed deputy helped prevent serious injuries from happening when a fight broke out in the lobby.
The brawl happened on the same day a man accused of a double murder appeared in court for his arraignment, but authorities declined to say that case had anything to do with the violence that happened in the lobby.
Prosecutors on Thursday charged three people for the melee. Richard Sims, 20, of Normal is charged with aggravated battery and mob action for allegedly punching Michelle Brown, 42, of Bloomington. She faces the same charges for allegedly punching Sims.
A third person, Angela Brown, 43, of Hazel Crest, is charged with aggravated battery, mob action, and resisting the deputy who broke up the fight.
An innocent bystander also tried to stop the brawl, and in the process, someone pulled her hair and tried to steal her keys.
All three defendants have August 10 court appearances.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
