March 28, 2004

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  Punch halts murder trial

  
  

  The Associated Press
  3/22/2004, 6:00 p.m. ET
  

  
  

  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man accused of raping and murdering a young girl punched his defense attorney, Fred Goodman, in the face Monday, bringing his jury trial to a halt.

  
  

  Both teams of lawyers were returning to their seats after a brief, private conference with the judge when El-Shabazz swung at Goodman, authorities said.

  
  

  El-Shabazz began yelling when Goodman told jurors that his client had, in fact, committed the assault.

  
  

  "There is no question who did this," Goodman said. "The only thing that is at issue is the difference between first-degree murder and second-degree murder."

  
  

  "And my innocence! I'm innocent!" El-Shabazz said. "That's what the D.A. and my lawyers won't tell you."

  
  

   

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