Cook County public defender charged in attack on prosecutor

A public defender allegedly pushed and choked a prosecutor Thursday when an argument that started in a courtroom escalated into an attack in the hallway of a Chicago court building, authorities said.

Henry Hams, a 47-year-old Cook County assistant public defender, was charged with resisting arrest and aggravated battery in a public place. Both are felonies.

Hams and an assistant state's attorney were in court Thursday morning and had been arguing about an upcoming court date for a case. The argument resumed in the hallway of the Cook County Criminal Courts building, according to Cook County sheriff's spokesman Steve Patterson.

A fight broke out, and around 10:30 a.m. sheriff's deputies attempted to break it up. Authorities said Hams was on top of the prosecutor with both hands around his neck.

The state's attorney, who has not been named because he was not charged with a crime, and a deputy suffered minor injuries.

The lawyers appeared to have known each other only through legal proceedings, Patterson said.

Hams' attorney Richard Kling confirmed there was an altercation in the courts building Thursday, but said it was unclear who started it. He questioned why both attorneys weren't charged.

"There's two sides to every story," he said. "It's not clear why my client was charged. It'll have to shake its way out in court."

Hams, of Chicago, works in the post-conviction unit for the Cook County Public Defender's office. He has been licensed to practice law since 1989, according to the state's Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

It was not immediately clear whether the charges would affect his license. A phone system for the disciplinary commission could not take messages after business hours Thursday.

The assistant state's attorney has worked in special litigations, Patterson said.

Cook County state's attorney spokeswoman Tandra Simonton declined to comment Thursday, as did the Cook County Public Defender's office.

Hams remained in custody Thursday. He was expected in bond court Friday.