Man Sentenced for Murder in Houston, Then Punches His Attorney in Courtroom Outburst

HOUSTON, Texas — A man who had just been sentenced to decades in prison for murder is now facing additional charges after assaulting his own defense attorney in the courtroom immediately following the verdict.

Jaquarius Lewis, 27, pleaded guilty to the April 2024 murder of Quincy Jermaine Johnson, who was shot while standing on a balcony in northeast Houston. Court records show Lewis waived a jury trial and entered the plea on Jan. 21 before receiving a 50-year prison sentence this week.

Authorities said moments after the sentence was handed down, Lewis struck his court-appointed attorney, John Petruzzi, in the face. Petruzzi, who is over the age of 65, was reportedly injured during the incident.

According to court documents, Lewis is now accused of causing bodily injury to a person 65 years of age or older, a charge that could result in additional prison time.

Records also indicate that Lewis had previously requested the court to dismiss Petruzzi as his attorney in December 2025 and asked for new counsel to be appointed.

Officials said the original case stemmed from a fatal shooting in 2024, in which Lewis was identified as one of two suspects involved.

The courtroom incident remains under investigation.