An Aurora man who was on trial for attempted murder attacked the victim in the case in the courtroom during his trial, prosecutors said Tuesday.
On Monday, an Arapahoe County jury found Daniel Ayala, 29, guilty of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
On June 2, 2021, police in Aurora responded to a hit-and-run crash in which a motorist struck a pedestrian — a 30-year-old man who was walking his dog — near East Kent Drive and East Loyola Place. The driver fled the scene.
The pedestrian suffered lower body injuries and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to a news release from the DA’s office. The victim told investigators that the driver of a white Chevrolet Avalanche “accelerated toward him” and hit him.
Investigators identified Ayala, an acquaintance of the victim, as a suspect in the case, the news release said. When questioned by police, Ayala admitted to hitting the victim “on purpose.”
Last week, when the victim was testifying during the trial, Ayala, who was free on bond, jumped up from behind the defense table and attacked the victim, repeatedly striking him in the face and the body, according to the news release.
The courtroom attack allegedly occurred on Aug. 22, according to court records.
People in the courtroom, including deputy district attorneys Chandler Neumann and Kate Tierney, intervened and detained Ayala. The victim and Neumann sustained minor injuries, according to the news release.
After a three-day trial, a jury convicted Ayala in the hit-and-run case on four charges, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon (the vehicle) causing serious bodily injury.
“Attacking a victim while he is testifying is an insult to our justice system and something no witness should ever have to fear,” Neumann said. “The victim showed tremendous bravery throughout the trial and this verdict will finally provide the victim with some closure.”
Since the courtroom incident, Ayala’s bond has been revoked. He will be sentenced for the attempted-murder conviction on Oct. 28.
Ayala faces new charges, stemming from the alleged courtroom attack, including assault, retaliation against a witness/victim, and violation of a protection order.
“Violence in our courtroom will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “I believe the actions of our Deputy DAs and multiple citizens in that courtroom saved the victim from sustaining serious injuries.”
Updated 5:10 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022 The headline on this story has been corrected. The defendant was convicted in a hit-and-run trial, and is now charged with assault in connection with the courtroom incident.
