Grieving Colorado uncle body-slams lawyer of nephews suspected killer outside courtroom, fracturing his spine

A grieving Colorado uncle allegedly body-slammed the defense attorney who was representing his nephew’s accused killer, knocking him unconscious and fracturing his spine.Daniel Ashby, 36, was charged with second-degree assault for using an “MMA-style takedown” on attorney H.Michael Steinberg inside the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Littleton, Col., on Monday, CBS Colorado reported.Ashby was attending a court hearing for 19-year-old Christopher Ramirez-Rodriguez, who is accused of running a red light and killing Ashby’s 12-year-old nephew in July.Steinberg was representing Ramirez-Rodriguez when Ashby allegedly “aggressively approached” him in the hallway outside the courtroom while trying “to see the defendant,” according to an arrest record obtained by the outlet.Police said Steinberg pushed Ashby back to create space, after which Ashby allegedly carried out an “MMA-style takedown,” which left the longtime lawyer unconscious.Steinberg — who has frequently appeared as a guest on CNN and Fox News — was rushed to a local hospital, where he was treated for multiple spinal fractures.In an email sent Tuesday, Steinberg told CBS Colorado he also suffered a “shattered pelvis,” was in “serious pain,” and is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday.Ashby was immediately taken into custody at the courthouse.

Court officials said the hallway incident was not captured on video.Ashby is being held at the Arapahoe County Jail on a $75,000 bond and is due back in court Friday in connection with the alleged assault, according to jail records viewed by The Post.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.Ashby’s older brother, Michael Ashby — the father of the 12-year-old victim — said he attended Monday’s hearing but did not witness the incident.He said the...