April 21, 2008
A Florida lawyer has been charged with assault after vigorously shaking the hand of a fellow attorney.
Kathy Brewer Rentas, 49, shook the hand of Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Keene so hard her arm was "nearly ripped out of its socket", a court official said.
Moments before, Ms Keene had successfully prosecuted Ms Brewer Rentas' husband, reports the BBC.
Anthony Rentas was accused of violating the terms of a probation order for supplying cocaine, and sentenced to 90 days of house arrest.
After the hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mrs Brewer Rentas insisted on shaking the prosecuting lawyer's hand.
"With Keene in hand, Brewer made an upward, then a quick downward motion and pulled Keene toward the ground moving her forward, almost causing Keene to fall to the ground," said a court security officer.
Alicia Valle, a spokeswoman for the US Attorney's Office, said assaulting a federal officer was a serious matter and that Mrs Brewer Rentas would be prosecuted "vigorously".
Mrs Brewer Rentas, who denied intending to cause any harm, was freed on bail and ordered to undergo psychological examination.
She was also ordered to stay away from Mrs Keene, and faces up to a year in prison if convicted of assault.
