PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A preliminary hearing for two Philadelphia men on trial for murder was disrupted after a fight broke out among those watching the court proceedings. The two men face charges in the shooting death of a 15-year-old.
Courtroom 306 at the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center has a glass partition separating the spectators from the trial participants.
The first witness was getting off the stand when those seated on the victims' side of the gallery started shouting at those seated on the defendants' side.
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There were around two dozen people involved in the fight which included pushing, shoving and standing on benches. 10 sheriff's deputies and police officers rushed in to restore peace.
Several people were removed from the courtroom, including a woman with an infant.
When order was restored about 20 minutes later, the judge warned that if this happens again, offenders would be held in contempt of court.
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Samir Hawkins, 21, and Quadir Dailey, 20, face charges in the shooting death of Namir Johnson, 15, on April 6 near 25th and Somerset streets in North Philadelphia.
Dailey is also charged for allegedly killing Khadeem Green, 16, on April 14 along North Taney Street, also in North Philly.
Defendants were placed in their holding cells while the fight was going on.
