The 10th Judicial District Court was proceeding as normal on Tuesday June 16th when a female defendant, Debra Maria Danner, produced a razor blade and cut herself on the forearm after Judge Tom Stockard revoked her privilege to be released on her own recognizance (OR).
According to Assistant District Attorney, Chelsea Sandford, Danner under the supervision of Court Services has failed to comply with the terms of her probation including testing positive for drugs or alcohol on multiple occasions. “Upon testing before court today, Danner was presumptively positive,” stated Sanford. Danner denied the allegations that she was positive stating that her last use was about a month ago.
Judge Stockard ruled that Danner’s OR be revoked set her bond at $25,000, cash only. Danner, who appeared in court with crutches, told the judge she could not afford the bond and hadn’t been able to work due to a delayed hip surgery. She also expressed concerns about losing her home if placed in jail for an extended period of time.
While Stockard was assessing jail time and attempting to establish non-monetary alternatives, Danner withdrew what Judge Stockard later stated he believed to be a razor blade and subsequently cut herself on the forearm. When sheriff deputies attempted to subdue Danner to administer first aid, Danner struggled with the deputies stating “Don’t (expletive) touch me…get your hands of me…let go of me…and don’t manhandle me.” Danner continued to try to pull away from officers and exclaimed, “You want my blood –you want my life.”
Moments later Danner apologized to the court stating, “Judge, I’m sorry,” and was taken from the courtroom to receive first aid and was later seen by EMTs. Jacob Sommer, representing Danner, made an oral argument for her to receive a competency evaluation based on what had just taken place. Judge Stockard immediately granted the request. No officers, court personnel, or individuals in the courtroom were injured. Court proceedings had to be delayed and reconvened in Courtroom 2.
Danner is scheduled to appear for a status hearing on June 30th. She originally received probation and was sentenced to Western Regional Drug Court after a Task Force arrest on charges of possession of controlled substance, possession of dangerous drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of controlled substance for sale in early February.
Judge Stockard acknowledged the swift and skillful management of the situation by Sgt. Jesse Nuckols and the other Churchill County Sheriff’s officers that were in the courtroom.
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