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Former prosecution may have prompted attack

A Richmond criminal defense lawyer is lucky to have survived a particularly vicious client attack.  “I could have bitten the bullet,” said Charles Cosby, recalling the incident at the Powhatan Correctional Center some 20 years ago.

Cosby was appointed to represent an inmate accused of taking a staffer hostage during a prison uprising.  Because of security concerns with prisoner trials, the case was being heard at a courtroom in the prison itself.

Unknown to Cosby, his client was hiding a shank.  The homemade knife had a sharpened tip like an ice pick.  The trial was just beginning when the client jumped up and stabbed Cosby.

“I got up to make my opening statement to the jury.  He tried to drive it through my neck,” Cosby said. 

“I’m going to kill that white m***** f*****,” his attacker exclaimed as he was subdued.

Cosby’s doctor told him that the puncture wound was right at his carotid artery.  If the knife had penetrated further, he likely would have died.

Cosby said while he was lying on the floor, a guard told him that inmates sometimes put poison on the tips of their knives.

Fortunately, there was no poison and the inmate’s poor grip on his knife prevented a deeper wound.

The motive for the attack may have been revenge.  Cosby later learned that in his previous role as prosecutor, he had once prosecuted the client. 

“I haven’t forgotten that one,” Cosby said. 

While actual attacks are rare, Cosby notes that threats come with the territory for defense lawyers.  “I had a client who threatened to blow up my car.  You kind of take it in stride, but you never know what people are capable of.”

— Peter Vieth

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