Grieving Colorado uncle body-slams lawyer of nephew’s suspected killer outside courtroom, fracturing his spine
A Colorado man named Daniel Ashby, who is 36, has been accused of forcefully grabbing and body‑slamming the defense attorney for his nephew’s suspect, knocking the lawyer unconscious and breaking his spine. The incident took place inside the hallway outside the courtroom at the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Littleton, where Ashby was attending a hearing for 19‑year‑old Christopher Ramirez‑Rodriguez. According to CBS Colorado, Ashby was charged with second‑degree assault after executing an “MMA‑style takedown” on attorney H. Michael Steinberg.
Steinberg, a longtime lawyer who frequently appears on CNN and Fox News, was representing Ramirez‑Rodriguez when Ashby allegedly “aggressively approached” him in an effort to see the defendant. The attorney shoved Ashby back to create space, and then Ashby carried out the takedown, rendering Steinberg unconscious. The attack left the lawyer with multiple spinal fractures.
The victim was rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for several cervical and thoracic fractures. In an email sent to CBS Colorado, Steinberg described a “shattered pelvis,” “serious pain,” and indicated he would undergo surgery on Thursday. The assault scene was not captured on video, but police took Ashby into custody immediately. He is now held in the Arapahoe County Jail on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear again in court on Friday over the alleged assault.
According to court records, Ashby’s older brother, Michael Ashby—who is also the father of the 12‑year‑old victim—attended the Monday hearing but did not witness the attack. He told CBS Colorado that the family has been present at every proceeding and that emotions were running high, adding that frustration with the legal system had sparked tension between the two families. Judge overseeing the case later warned both sides against “taking justice into their own hands.”
Public records show Ashby carries a long criminal history, including several violations of protective orders and past jail sentences.
On July 19, Ramirez‑Rodriguez was accused of running a red light and causing a fatal collision that killed the 12‑year‑old nephew. The Aurora Police Department reported that the defendant was at the scene and cooperative, with no signs of drugs or alcohol involved; investigators are looking into distracted driving as a potential factor. Ramirez‑Rodriguez faced charges of careless driving resulting in death.
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