Defendant shot in Salt Lake City courthouse dies

SALT LAKE CITY, April 21 (UPI) -- Siale Angilau, 25, an alleged member of the Tongan Crips charged with shooting two deputy marshals in 2007, died Monday after being shot by a U.S. Marshal during the first trial in the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City.

Angilau was was allegedly trying to attack a witness when he was shot, according to reports.

"During the trial this morning the defendant went after, engaged the witness stand, and when he engaged the witness at the witness stand, he was shot by the U.S. Marshals Service," said FBI spokesman Mark Dressen. "From what I understand, the defendant may have grabbed a pen or a pencil and charged the witness stand at that time."

The shooting prompted the judge to declare a mistrial. "The court has met with the jury and and observed that most of the jury members are visibly shaken and upset by this episode,'' she wrote in a brief order. "The court finds that this occurrence in the courtroom would so prejudice Mr. Angilau as to deprive him of a fair trial."

"A deputy U.S. marshal fired his weapon in response to a threat during trial proceedings. One person was injured and has been transported for medical attention. There were no injuries to members of the judiciary or law enforcement. The courthouse is secure. Indications are that no weapons were secreted into the courthouse,” a statement from the U.S. Marshals reads in the L.A. Times.

[LA Times] [Court Document]