Man gets 15 years for hitting public defender

BILLINGS, (AP) — A California fugitive who hit his Montana public defender in the head during an extradition hearing has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Assistant Public Defender Erik Moore lashed out at 33-year-old David Anthony Aguilar Jr. in court on Thursday, saying people like him “don’t change” and they “belong behind bars.”

Aguilar earlier pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon for hitting Moore in the head with his handcuffed hands without warning during a video court appearance on Jan. 21. 

The Billings Gazette reports Moore testified that he has post-concussion syndrome and his eyes are still sensitive to light.

Aguilar apologized and said Moore is right to be angry.

District Judge Mary Jane Knisely said the eight-year sentence recommended in the plea agreement wasn’t long enough.