Jamal Adams is facing five new charges after flipping a defense table and getting forcibly removed by court officers following his first-degree murder conviction.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office charged Adams, 34, with disrupting proceedings, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, escape and vandalism or malicious mischief, according to online court records.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County defendant flips table after murder conviction, removed from courtroom)
Adams was sentenced to life in prison without parole late Friday after he was convicted the same day of the first-degree murder of Matthew Overby, a father of six. Overby’s family, including two children, wrote impact statements that were read aloud at sentencing.
Jurors also found Adams guilty of witness coercion, reckless endangerment and possession of a firearm by a felon. Deliberations had taken over two days and were, at times, exhausting, according to the jury foreperson.
Adams’ first court appearance tied to the new charges is scheduled before Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Tori Smith on Monday morning.
The charges were not discussed with Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp’s Office before the warrants were taken out, she said by email. According to her, she learned of the charges from the Chattanooga Times Free Press request for comment.
In Wamp’s time as the county’s top prosecutor, the courts have not had a defendant act out after a conviction, she said. According to her, the prosecutors will ask for additional safety measures at Adams’ future hearings.
“He has proven that he is incapable of being a law-abiding citizen,” Wamp said. “He has taken the life of another, and he belongs in prison for the remainder of his natural life.”
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Jamal Adams facing five new charges after flipping table, getting removed from courtroom
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reached out to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and responses will be published online when received.
The Public Defender’s Office declined to comment by email on several questions Tuesday afternoon. Defense attorney Alex Shoaf said Adams is scheduled to be sentenced on his remaining charges tied to Overby at 9 a.m. Sept. 22.
Contact courts reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.