Florida University Attack: Man Arrested After Bizarre Courtroom Scene
- A series of unsettling incidents in Florida courts have brought the issue of courtroom security and the challenges of managing individuals with mental health crises into sharp focus.
- On January 29, 2026, Steven Rivers, 30, already facing charges related to a sexual battery at Florida Memorial University, allegedly attempted to sexually batter a female detective while...
- The incident with Rivers occurred just days after another dramatic courtroom scene unfolded in Martin County.
A series of unsettling incidents in Florida courts have brought the issue of courtroom security and the challenges of managing individuals with mental health crises into sharp focus. In separate events, a defendant attempted to attack a judge and another attempted a sexual assault on a law enforcement officer, raising questions about safety protocols and the resources available to handle volatile situations.
On , Steven Rivers, 30, already facing charges related to a sexual battery at Florida Memorial University, allegedly attempted to sexually batter a female detective while being escorted to a transport vehicle. Video footage captured the incident, showing Rivers reaching for the detective, prompting officers to restrain him. Authorities confirmed that DNA evidence linked Rivers to the initial sexual battery on campus, where he was accused of following and attacking a scholarship student.
The incident with Rivers occurred just days after another dramatic courtroom scene unfolded in Martin County. On , Evan Paul McCulloch, 46, lunged at and spat on Judge William L. Roby during a status hearing. McCulloch, already classified as a “special status inmate” due to a history of battery on law enforcement and threats against a judge, managed to strike Judge Roby directly with spittle despite being shackled at his ankles, belly-chained and handcuffed. Six deputies quickly restrained and removed McCulloch from the courtroom.
According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, Judge Roby was not injured and continued hearing cases immediately after the attack. He didn’t miss a beat,” he said. “He went right to the next case and kept on working.
McCulloch now faces additional felony charges, though the specifics of those charges have not yet been confirmed.
The case of Evan Paul McCulloch is complicated by a history of mental illness. He has been held in the Martin County Jail since 2023 and has repeatedly been deemed incompetent to stand trial due to mental health concerns. He had recently been cleared for transfer to a state hospital for evaluation, but remained in jail pending that transfer. Sheriff Budensiek noted that McCulloch has a documented history of battering deputies and causing disruptions while incarcerated, stating, This individual had the will to try to hurt someone.
These incidents echo a similar event that occurred in 2024, where Deobra Redden attacked Judge Mary Kay Holthus in Las Vegas. Redden, who also cited mental health issues, received a 26-year prison sentence for his assault. He later expressed remorse, stating he did not intend to kill Judge Holthus.
The Florida incidents raise broader questions about the safety of judicial personnel and the challenges of balancing security with the rights of the accused. The presence of special response deputies in the Martin County courtroom suggests a heightened awareness of potential risks, but the ability of McCulloch to overcome his restraints and reach the judge underscores the difficulty of preventing determined attacks. The fact that McCulloch was already designated a “special status inmate” highlights the existing knowledge of his potential for violence.
the cases bring into focus the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. McCulloch’s repeated declarations of incompetence and his pending transfer to a state hospital suggest a need for more robust mental health services within correctional facilities and during court proceedings. The delays in securing appropriate mental health care for individuals like McCulloch can potentially exacerbate volatile situations and increase the risk of harm to both judicial staff and the accused.
While the immediate focus remains on ensuring the safety of courtrooms and judicial personnel, these incidents also underscore the need for a broader discussion about the resources available to address the mental health needs of individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The events in Florida serve as a stark reminder of the potential for violence and the importance of proactive measures to mitigate risk and provide appropriate care.