COURT OBSERVATION: Defendant forcibly removed from courtroom after attempting to stand up for himself

By Darlin Navarrete and Caleb Silver

WOODLAND, CA – A defendant was forcibly removed from the courtroom here in Yolo County Superior Court Wednesday morning after exercising his right to a phone call following a violation of his prison sentence.

The defendant is charged with second-degree robbery.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled, originally for August 5. However, the original preliminary hearing date was postponed because the defendant refused to be transported to court.

On August 5, the preliminary hearing was postponed and the defense's motion to reduce bail was denied, according to the docket records.

Judge Daniel M. Wolk began Wednesday's hearing by reviewing the facts of the case and the procedure. Assistant Public Defender Joseph Gocke represented the defendant and Assistant District Attorney Alvina G. Tzang represented the prosecution.

The defendant, who was present and in custody, complained that he had not exercised his right to a telephone conversation since his detention.

Judge Wolk responded, “Please consult your attorney,” and continued to try to move the hearing forward. The defendant then again advocated for himself and was ignored.

Then the defendant began to raise his voice and screamed, “I’m going to tear this shit up.”

After the defendant began screaming, Judge Wolk dismissed him from the courtroom. Four court officers held him down in his chair and then forcibly led him out of the courtroom.

Judge Wolk then moved on to the next case, with the “controversial” case mentioned again toward the end of the court session Wednesday morning.

Judge Wolk stated that in light of the incident, he had scheduled a psychiatric intervention for the defendant and cancelled the preliminary hearing.

DPD Gocke agreed with the court’s opinion regarding the defendant’s conduct.

Judge Wolk scheduled the return of Report 1368 for the determination of mental competence for September 12.

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1368 Report of second degree robbery, right to a telephone call forcibly removed after detention, Yolo County Superior Court