PITTSBURGH, PA. A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal contempt of court laws and assault, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The three-count Indictment named James Taric Byrd, 46, of Pittsburgh, PA, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about July 18, 2022, Byrd is alleged to willfully and knowingly engaged in contempt of court by both engaging in misbehavior in the presence and so near there to the Court in order to obstruct the administration of justice, and by disobeying and resisting the lawful order and command of the Court by striking his own attorney in the court room. He is also charged with assault by striking, beating, or wounding.
The law provides no maximum sentence or fine for the contempt charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Marshals conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
Assistant United States Attorney DeMarr W. Moulton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys