A man holding a baby was apparently punched in the face outside a Lake County courtroom in Waukegan on Wednesday, starting what witnesses said was a brawl that resulted in two arrests.
The courtroom was packed with people waiting for a hearing for Johnny Parker, 28, and William Fillyaw, 33, who were found guilty of killing a North Chicago woman in 2007 but whose convictions were recently overturned.
The courtroom cleared when the ruckus began, and witnesses said about a dozen people joined the scuffle in the hallway, which courthouse deputies quickly broke up.
Lake County sheriff’s Lt. Christopher Thompson said Johnny C. Parker, 46, was charged with battery after officials said he threw the punch that started the commotion.
A woman in the courtroom — later identified as Shekita Parker, the baby’s mother — stood up and cursed loudly when the ruckus broke out, at which point Judge Daniel Shanes charged her with contempt of court and ordered her held for 14 days. He later reduced that to 10 days.
“This is a courtroom, not a barroom,” Shanes said. The woman apologized and said she was upset at “seeing my child … in harm’s way.”
Officials said both the elder Johnny C. Parker and Shekita Parker are related to the younger Johnny Parker, though it was not immediately clear how.
Earlier this year, an appellate court reversed the conviction for the younger Johnny Parker and Fillyaw for the shooting death of Lasondra Shaw, 28, citing problems with Fillyaw’s representation and the admission of an incriminating statement by Parker. Both men remain in custody as prosecutors consider whether to retry them. Their hearing was rescheduled.
