Courthouse security officer injured during scuffle http://www.privateofficer.com

Murphysboro, Ill. Mar 3 2009
An altercation outside of the Jackson County Courthouse Friday morning left a court security officer injured and landed a teenager behind bars.

The fight happened after a preliminary hearing for 24-year-old Elijah Lacy, who is charged with murdering 21-year-old Falon Taylor in Carbondale in January 2007.

Lacy pleaded not guilty to the charge. Families of Lacy and Taylor began arguing inside the courthouse and the scuffle continued outside.

Jackson County deputies, Jackson County Court security personnel, Murphysboro Police, and Illinois State Police all responded to the scene to break up the fight.

Jelisa Gaston, 17, was arrested and charged with Mob Action and Aggravated Battery, after she refused to cooperate with security officials and allegedly struck a court security officer in the head. Gaston remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

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