Posted on Thu, Mar 5th, 2009| Categories: U.S.|
Reporting from San Francisco -- An accused killer who stabbed the judge during his murder trial in Stockton used a sharp, 6-inch metal shank that he hid from his jailers even though they were warned he had a weapon, investigators said Thursday.

Murder suspect David Paradiso, who was on the witness stand Wednesday, was able to slip behind Superior Court Judge Cinda Fox and stab her as bailiffs were distracted by a courtroom outburst from his mother and brother, said San Joaquin County Sheriff's Det. Dave Konecny.

Paradiso, 29, was killed by the lead investigator in his murder case, Lodi Police Det. Eric Bradley, who quickly approached the judge's bench and shot him in the head and shoulder at point-blank range.

"He saved the judge's life," said defense attorney Chuck Pacheco, who also rushed to the judge's aid. "It was necessary. Otherwise, the judge would have been killed. He was hellbent on killing her."

Topics: Murder Suspect, Cinda, Paradiso, Superior Court Judge, Fox
http://www.mashget.com/us/2009/03/05/mu ... olice-say/