By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — Four court officers were taken to the hospital Wednesday after they were injured attempting to subdue an unruly defendant, a spokesman for the court said.
The defendant, identified as Analis Ortega, was in court for a robbery charge, according to spokesman David Bookstaver.
Ortega was being taken to a holding pen while the courtroom broke for lunch about 1 p.m. when he allegedly turned violent.
"He was told that his attorney could come to him, but that he could not go to his attorney because the courtroom was closed," Bookstaver said. "He apparently didn't like that.
"A scuffle ensued and four court officers were injured."
While none of the injuries were believed to be serious, three of the injured officers were taken to New York Downtown Hospital and the fourth to Beth Israel, the FDNY said.
The incident occurred in Part 62, a courtroom, on the 13th Floor, Bookstaver said.
"This is a thankless job," one officer, not involved in the incident, commented.
"This type of thing happens all the time," another noted.
Ortega will be hit with additional charges in connection to the alleged assault, Bookstaver said.
