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| Court security under review |
| By The Herald News |
| Published: 11/03/2003 |
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Court and corrections officials are reviewing the security breach that happened at the Fall River Trial Court in Mass. Monday morning when a man made a brazen attack on a defendant charged with murdering 4-year-old Brendon A. Camara. Prior to the arraignment of Eric Durand on a charge of murder, an uncle of the boy, Harley Camara, scaled a 12-foot fence and tried to attack Durand while he was being led in to the courthouse by sheriff's deputies. Camara was restrained and he was unable to get at Durand, but the incident has raised concerns about security at the courthouse during high-profile and emotionally charged criminal cases. Bruce Brock, spokesman for the Massachusetts Trial Court security division, said the security procedures in place at the court were effective, but are under review. He said an incident report from Fall River was forwarded to Thomas Connolly, chief of security for the Massachusetts Trial Court. The incident report will be reviewed by Connolly, local court security chief Peter Sullivan and the trial court security administration in Boston. Brock said he could not comment on whether advanced notice was given to security officials about the high-profile case. He said he could not disclose the security procedures due to public safety issues. The 12-foot fence that separates incoming prisoners from the general public was erected in 1999 after a murder defendant was able to escape from the courthouse after releasing himself from handcuffs and shackles. Last Tuesday, Hodgson said he has been in contact with Sullivan and Connolly to figure out a way to either increase the physical security at the court or change up the procedures of bringing prisoners into the court. Sheriff's deputies are responsible for transporting prisoners to and from the courthouse. The Bristol County House of Correction van can routinely be seen inside the fenced-in area waiting to transport prisoners back and forth between the jail and the courthouse. Camara, who was wrestled to the ground by sheriff's deputies Monday morning was arrested and charged with trespassing, assault and battery on a police officer, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and threatening to commit a crime. Even though the incident is being reviewed by security officials, Brock stressed the fact that Camara was unable to get to Durand during the incident. Hodgson, too, praised the efforts of his deputies, court security officials and Fall River police officers for their speedy response to the security breach. |
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