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Suspect tries to break out of courthouse to avoid arrest

by DREW MIKKELSEN / KING 5 News

Bio | Email | Follow: @Drewmikk

KING5.com

Posted on July 30, 2010 at 4:24 PM

SHELTON, Wash. - A Mason County man tried to jump out the window of a courtroom after a judge ordered his arrest, according to court staffers.

Andy Sopak was about to be arrested under suspicion of violating a restraining order when witnesses said he used his head to break out two windows of the first floor courtroom.

Sopak's defense attorney and a police officer prevented the escape by grabbing hold of the man.

"I've seen a lot of things in my 55 years, but I've never seen anything like that," said Lloyd Tomlin, who was in court during the escape attempt.

Tomlin was present because his daughter accused Sopak of violating the restraining order she filed against him.

"I'm pleased that he's locked up," said Tomlin.

Sopak's public defender suffered minor injuries while she restrained her client.

"I got my back tweaked, my shoulder hurts, my neck hurts," said defense attorney Susan Sergojan.

Sergojan said she has always been concerned about the lack of security at the Mason County Courthouse.

"There's no metal detectors," said Sergojan.

Mason County Commissioner Tim Sheldon said the county has not allocated enough funding to "adequately" provide security at the courthouse.

Sheldon said that could change after what happened Friday morning.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

lgunter20 said on July 30, 2010 at 5:23 PM

In response to this news report I would like to inform you that the county has had the money for court room security. A year and a half ago my father passed away and when he passed away so did the court room security. That was my dads job to keep the court room safe. The commisioners took what would have been my dad's salary to keep the court room safe and invested it to other places instead of hiring another security officer. Another important issue that Mason County is facing because of the decision of our commisioners is laying off deputies which causes response time to go down with only so much as 2 deputies on at times to serve the entire county. Also I would like to add that Linda, Tim, and Ross (all of our commisioners) have a mandatory raise each year they are in office. Ross is the only one that has used his raise to give back to the community. I would like to thank you for your time in listening to my comment on this issue.

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