Inmate with Knife in Courtroom Raises Courthouse Security Concerns

Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- An incident in a Cleveland County courtroom Thursday involving an inmate concealing and injuring himself and a deputy with a knife has raised new concerns about courthouse security and the adequacy of the state's probation system.

On Thursday Deputy Steve Lucas was working courtroom security when a judge revoked the probation of sex offender Troy Leal and ordered him back to prison. That's when Leal pulled a knife from his pocket, and he and Lucas fell to the floor, scuffling.

"When I tazed him he stiffened up and put his head back.That's when he dropped the knife, and that's when I noticed when his head was back that he had that giant gouge that was starting to squirt blood," Lucas said.

Judge Bill Hetherington hit the panic button to alert security. Soon EMTs were on the scene and rushed Leal and Lucas to the hospital.

Lucas received 18 stitches in his right arm and a puncture wound in his left hand.

This was the second incident in the past few months that has highlighted the fact that the Cleveland County courthouse has no permanent metal detectors at the entrances.

"I don't have enough people, and I don't have people trained to operate that equipment," said Cleveland County Undersheriff Rhett Burnett.

The incident has also raised another issue. Judge Hetherington said the testimony he heard and the records he examined convinced him that until last year Leal was able to violate his probation rules, especially concerning access to child pornography with impunity. The Department of Corrections said it will investigate.

Leal is in critical condition in a medical coma as of Friday evening.

The Cleveland County District Attorney is considering filing new charges against him.

More on News9.com: Deputy Saves Inmate from Committing Suicide in Court