Lawyer accused of way-too-firm handshake
Court Alerts
A lawyer who allegedly shook a legal opponent's hand so fiercely she injured her shoulder is now facing physical assault charges in Florida.
An attorney for private lawyer Brewer Rentas said her client never intended to harm a federal prosecutor in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when they shook hands last week, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
"It all stems from a handshake," attorney Gwendolyn Tuggle said. "In her mind she never intended to cause any harm to any federal official."
The 49-year-old Rentas had been in court Thursday as part of her husband's trial on cocaine distribution charges and the attorney reportedly made a point of shaking hands with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keene after the court's ruling.
Rentas' arrest report states she then allegedly grabbed Keene's hand, knocking her off balance, and then roughly shook her arm up and down.
The Sun-Sentinel said Rentas is now facing a federal misdemeanor charge over the incident and will likely face an attorney conduct review, as well.
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