Public Defender Attacked While Visiting Client At Cook County Jail
(CBS) -- A Cook County public defender was injured Wednesday afternoon after being struck by an inmate at the Cook County Jail, according to according to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's office.
The sheriff's office says detainee Jimmie Smith attacked one of his public defenders as they ended their visit with him at around 2 p.m. Smith was immediately taken into custody by correctional officers. The inmate was in handcuffs during the visit.
The public defender is identified as Richard Kruss. He was taken Mt. Sinai Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A second attorney who was present was not injured. The attack occurred in the Division 9 section of the jail.
The Cook County Sheriff's office says officers have confiscated a shank - a homemade knife - from inmate Jimmie Smith, and that the shank was made from an asthma pump. A spokeswoman says it's not clear if Smith used the shank in the attack.
According to First Assistant Public Defender Patrick Reardon, the Kruss received some type of cut tot he head or neck area. Reardon says Kruss was also attacked by a client 11 years ago.
Smith is in jail on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sexual assault and bringing contraband into a penal institution.