Chicago man charged with assault of deputy at Kane County courthouse

A Chicago man was charged last week with aggravated assault and resisting a peace officer at the Kane County Courthouse after a dispute with a court security officer.

David A. Bertha, 44, of the 9200 block of South Constance Avenue, remains in the Kane County jail on $30,000 bail. His next court date is June 27.

Authorities said Bertha "without provocation" walked toward a court security officer and screamed at him. When Bertha was about 2 feet away, the officer told him to step back or be arrested. Bertha "puffed out his chest," raised his arms and continued to approach, coming within an inch of the officer, according to the sheriff's report.

While being taken to the courthouse's lockup, Bertha threatened the officer, according to the report.

Court records indicate Bertha was at the courthouse regarding a hearing for a lawsuit he had filed. The hearing was on his motion to get a different judge. Bertha is representing himself; he is a disbarred attorney.

The Daily Herald was one of the defendants in the case but was dismissed from the suit in May. Other defendants include the Kane County sheriff's office, several deputies and three physicians at the Elgin Mental Health Center.