Brawl breaks out at courthouse

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The first hearing in a Terre Haute murder case turned violent Tuesday afternoon, as apparent supporters of both the alleged victim and the alleged killer argued and exchanged blows.

21-year-old William Mallory of Indianapolis appeared in Vigo Superior Court Division 6 at roughly 1:30 p.m. by teleconference for an initial hearing on charges that he fired shots outside the Ballyhoo Tavern early morning Friday, August 24, killing one and injuring two others.

During the hearing, Mallory was charged with one count of Murder, two counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Aggravated Battery and one count of Carrying a Handgun Without a Permit.

Mallory also asked for a public defender and was ordered to have no contact with the two surviving victims in the case.

When the hearing ended, people began leaving the packed gallery of the courtroom.

As they stood, one woman shouted, “He doesn’t have … blood on him.”

Several other people began shouting and others exchanged punches.

At least one person knocked over furniture and threw chairs, while several officers already in the courtroom tried to break up the fighting.

Meanwhile, others left the courtroom and began fighting in the hallway outside.

Some also fled to the courthouse lawn.

Sheriff’s deputies at the scene said they did not believe anyone was seriously injured, but they did say several people were arrested.

Eventually, police separated the different parties involved in the brawl and escorted them away from the courthouse.

Some were escorted to I-70, officers at the scene said.

Meanwhile, sheriff’s deputies also stopped a 17-year-old female, whom they believe tried to hide a knife under the bushes outside.

That female was later arrested on an outstanding warrant.