Nelson interuppts ADA Neel's closing in court; almost causes mistrial

In the middle of ADA Kelly Neel's second closing argument, William Nelson, the man charged with shooting Deputy Bang Cao, jumped up in court and started yelling. He would not shut up despite the Judge's initial admonishment and even verbally attacked his own lawyer.

Fortunately, due to quick action by Judge Miles and the bailiff, the jury was taken out of the room.

"They got hard evidence", Nelson yelled as Ms. Neel viscerated defense's argument.
As Judge Miles was asking him to be quiet and Mr. Elvine-Kreis his attorney was trying to calm him down, Nelson kept yelling, "I don't care. I tried to fire you three times."

At this point, the jury was out of the courtroom. Nelson would shake his head yesterday while the attorneys gave their closing but did not create a scene until today.

"Mr. Nelson, if you speak out again, you will be removed from the courtroom," Judge Miles told him. When he assured her and sat down, she turned to the attorneys. Jury was still outside. Two extra bailiffs in the courtroom.

Mr. Elvine-Kreiss asked for a mistrial saying the statements in the outburst made by his client were prejudicial. ADA Neel opposed his motion. "Mr. Nelson does not get to act out in court and cause a mistrial."

Judge Miles agreed with the People, denied the defense motion. Judge Miles said she would handle this by giving instructions to the jury to disregard the outburst, to decide the case based on evidence presented and that they could not hold Nelson's conduct against him or consider it in deliberations.

That is what she told the jury. She also said this is a serious matter for both sides and sometimes people get emotional.

No media was there yesterday to cover closings...Thad came back this morning and was in court today for Ms. Neel's second chance to present people's argument.