Former Dolphins cornerback 'disrespected' courtroom before tackling officer, report says

Dimitri Patterson, 34, arrested Tuesday at Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center

MIAMI – An arrest report released Wednesday detailed the moment a former Miami Dolphins cornerback is accused of trying to escape from a courtroom at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center in downtown Miami.

The report stated that Dimitri Patterson, 34, appeared Tuesday before Judge William Altfield in family court on allegations that he violated a no-contact order in relation to a past domestic violence case on which he had been acquitted of the charges. 

The hearing was an opportunity for Patterson to tell the judge why he should not be held in contempt of court. 

Police said officers were requested inside the courtroom to "keep the peace."

According to the arrest report, Patterson "disrespected the courtroom" as Altfield was trying to begin the hearing and the judge ordered that Patterson be taken into custody for direct civil contempt.

Police said an officer grabbed Patterson's right wrist and placed the handcuff on. The officer then tried to handcuff Patterson’s left hand, but Patterson ran toward the exit doors of the courtroom, authorities said.

Police said Patterson tackled an officer in the process, causing her to fall down and hit the back of her head.

Authorities said six officers and Patterson fell to the ground during the struggle, and the officer who was initially trying to handcuff Patterson was able to eventually place him into custody.

At one point during the struggle, Patterson pulled the officer with the handcuffs to avoid being handcuffed, the arrest report said.

Authorities said another officer suffered an injury to her left wrist during the struggle.

Both injured officers were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

Patterson appeared in bond court Wednesday, where he told Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer that he did not want to be represented by two attorneys who called into the hearing after they were hired by his girlfriend.

"I'd rather them not speak on my behalf right now because I don't know these attorneys," Patterson said.

Patterson also tried to give his side to the courtroom melee, telling Glazer that "legally" he didn't have to attend the hearing.

"It's not going to help you, sir. Really, it's  not," Glazer said. 

Records show that Patterson was previously arrested after an incident with his child's mother on Aug. 1, 2015, at the Aventura Mall.

An arrest report stated that Patterson met with his ex-girlfriend for a custody exchange of their then-1-year-old son, and an argument ensued over child support payments.

Police said that the baby suffered a bruise to the back of his head.

Authorities said the ex-girlfriend, Erika Medina, suffered redness to her neck area and a cut to her left elbow.

Patterson was arrested on charges of felony child abuse and misdemeanor battery.

Records show that Patterson was previously acquitted by a jury on charges of misdemeanor battery and culpable negligence.

Patterson, who was was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2005, also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
 


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.