An Indiana man who was handling a knife and trying to get closer to guest speaker Elizabeth Smart at an Indiana State University event has been charged with battery for punching a police officer who stopped him from approaching Smart.
Claude F. Hudson, 80, was seen acting oddly at a book signing by Smart in the Heritage Lounge at Tirey Hall, police said. Smart was on campus to speak about her ordeal of being abducted in 2002.
Hudson appeared Wednesday in Vigo Superior Court 5, where Judge Michael Rader ordered a mental health evaluation. Hudson has a lengthy criminal history that includes a 1991 conviction for attempted murder in Nevada.
Hudson was outspoken in court, demanding he be allowed to represent himself. Rader ordered Hudson held in lieu of $25,000 bond, no 10 percent allowed. He set a May 9 trial date.
According to a probable cause affidavit, ISU Police Capt. Ian Loomis said he saw Hudson handling a folding knife and turning toward Smart several times.
Hudson closed the knife and placed it into a pocket, then moved “in a dedicated and determined fashion” toward Smart, who was seated at a table signing books.
Loomis reported he tried to stop Hudson, who struck Loomis twice in the midsection. Loomis blocked a third strike and removed Hudson from the area to be questioned. The knife was taken from Hudson.
Only harming or trying to harm police will get punishment of any kind.
ReplyDelete80? Probably Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth 'Not So' Smart.
ReplyDeleteLoomis just reminds me of Dr. Loomis and Michael Myers from Halloween.
ReplyDeleteThis girl sure is a magnet for nutbars.
ReplyDeleteYeah @Okay I was thinking the same thing. If I was her I think I would have disappeared out of the spotlight I would be so paranoid all the time.
ReplyDeleteWow! Go on with your bad victim-blaming selves! Shame on you.
ReplyDelete