Attorney Justin Braulick was standing next to his client in a Hennepin County courtroom Monday morning when he suddenly found himself waking up on the floor.
Braulick looked over and saw his client on the ground with about four deputies trying to restrain him. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, which provides security at the courthouse, said Braulick was punched once by his client about 10:25 a.m.
Braulick said Monday afternoon that he did not remember being punched in the right side of his face. He recalled standing next to his client during sentencing in a criminal sexual conduct case, and then waking up after falling facedown.
"I'm kind of shaken up a little bit," Braulick said. "A little sore."
The client, who was already in custody, was taken back to jail. The attack on Braulick remains under investigation, and the client has not been charged.
The Star Tribune generally does not name suspects who have not been charged.
Braulick said he blacked out for about 30 seconds after he was punched and was diagnosed with a concussion. It's unclear if the concussion was a result of the punch or his fall.
"Obviously it can happen any time, but it's shocking that someone would do that, especially in open court when the judge is addressing you," said Stephen Heller, owner and president of the St. Cloud-based law firm Heller and Thyen, which employs Braulick.