HILLSBORO, Texas — A man previously sentenced to 60 years in prison for assaulting his grandmother is facing new charges after a violent incident with his attorney in courtroom proceedings. Christopher Donte Loud, 39, is scheduled to appear in court Monday, where he faces aggravated assault on a public servant, a first-degree felony enhanced by a prior conviction for aggravated assault.
Monday’s trial is set to take place at the Hill County Courthouse Annex, with retired Judge Rex Davis presiding over the proceedings. Loud’s prior courtroom behavior has raised significant concerns. During an earlier trial where he was accused of attacking his 87-year-old grandmother, Loud disrupted jury selection, resulting in a mistrial after he lashed out verbally.
In a subsequent attempt to try the case, Loud escalated matters further. He allegedly punched his attorney, Pat Dohoney, while Dohoney was sitting at the counsel table, causing severe injuries, including a shattered eye socket that has left him partially blind. The incident unfolded in front of approximately 80 potential jurors and was captured on courtroom surveillance cameras.
The Hill County District Attorney, Mark Pratt, is anticipated to present video evidence of the assault and call on sheriff’s deputies who were present during the attack. Such graphic evidence could heavily influence the jury’s perception of Loud’s behavior and mental state.
During his earlier trial for the assault on his grandmother, courtroom security measures were intensified due to Loud’s unpredictable demeanor. He was shackled and fitted with an electric shock belt, measures intended to maintain order but which also drew concern regarding potential bias against him from jurors. At one point, Loud’s outbursts necessitated deputies covering him with a blanket to hide these restraints from the jury.
If Loud is found guilty of assaulting Dohoney, he faces a lengthy prison term ranging from 15 years to life. Pratt plans to request that any new sentence be served consecutively with the 60-year term already imposed in April.
As this trial unfolds, local observers are closely monitoring the courtroom dynamics and issues surrounding mental health and violent behavior, as they relate to the criminal justice system and courtroom conduct. The implications of Loud’s actions will not only affect his own life but may also prompt broader discussions on courtroom security and the treatment of defendants with violent histories.