CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Charlotte defense attorney John Ross said he was intimidated and nearly assaulted outside a fourth-floor courtroom Wednesday.
"[He] draws his arm back like he's going to hit me," Ross said. "I really believed that I was going to get punched by this guy."
Ross said the threat came when a member of the community group called Court Watch, which works to keep repeat offenders in jail, approached him outside the courtroom.
VIDEO: Attorney Claims Members Of Community Group Threatened Him
Ross had just asked a judge to continue a property crime case because he was in the middle of trying a case in family court at the same time. But because the case had already been continued, members of Court Watch became upset.
Ross admitted he cursed at group members as they questioned him, but said their physical threat crossed the line.
I think they were trying to influence that specific case, and I'm concerned," Ross said.
Ross isn't alone in criticizing Court Watch. Public defender Dean Loven has been outspoken in suggesting members, who wear Court Watch T-shirts and try to participate in court proceedings, are practicing intimidation.
"We believe they're trying to exert influence -- improper influence -- through their T-shirts and through letters they have been attempting to hand up," Loven said.
Marcus Philemon, the leader of CharMeck Court Watch, admitted group members were out of line Wednesday.
"We do not condone any unruly behavior," Philemon said.
However, he defended the group's efforts to hold court officials accountable and said what some say is intimidation is actually advocacy.
"We're concerned citizens and we're tired of certain offenders affecting our neighborhoods," Philemon said.
Chief District Court Judge Lisa Bell said she's disturbed by Wednesday's incident.
There's a certain level of behavior that's expected of everyone within our court facility," Bell said.
Whatever Court Watch's goals may be, Bell said arguments and altercations concerning its members have no place in the courthouse.
For more information on Court Watch, click here.