Man accused of assault jailed for contempt of court

A Springfield man charged with beating and threatening another man with a knife during a fight has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for contempt of court.

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2017-04-26 / Local Man accused of assault jailed for contempt of court By ALLAN STEIN Eagle Times correspondent WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man charged with beating and threatening another man with a knife during a fight has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for contempt of court. Gordon R. Briggs Jr., 34, is facing charges of aggravated assault and simple assault in connection with the fight that took place at a self-storage facility in Weathersfield on April 23. Briggs was to set be arraigned in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division on Monday. The proceeding was cut short when Briggs allegedly referred to Judge Theresa S. DiMauro by her first name. Upon entering the courtroom, Briggs looked at the judge and said in an “exasperated” tone, “Hello, Theresa,” DiMauro said in a signed affidavit. The judge advised Briggs that he and the court were “not on a first name basis and he was not to address the court in that manner again.” Briggs allegedly responded, “Well you (f--k) me over every time.” “This was stated in open court and in the presence of many participants, observers, and attorneys,” DiMauro wrote, adding that Briggs “completely interrupted the proceedings.” DiMauro ruled the defendant in contempt of court and immediately sentenced Briggs to a maximum of 30 days in the Springfield correctional facility. Briggs is scheduled to arraigned on the assault charges on May 23. Briggs was arrested Sunday after an alleged fight at Ascutney Self-Storage in Weathersfield. Vermont State Police were called to the storage facility at 5:30 p.m. for a report of a fight involving a knife. The investigation found Briggs allegedly had swung a knife at the 50-year-old victim “six to 10 times.” According to police, the victim was helping move Briggs’ property from Springfield to the storage lockers when Briggs pulled up in a vehicle and a fight broke out. The victim allegedly shoved Briggs onto the ground twice. Briggs responded, “I’ll get you,” went back to his vehicle, and returned with the knife, police said. Police said the victim tried to run away but his ankle “gave out,” causing him to fall down. Briggs allegedly kicked the victim multiple times on the ground and tried to stab him multiple times, police said