Popular.com.

June 16, 1923.

A blackjack wielded by police sergeant John Richter

intercepted Frank Badgley, convicted automobile

thief, in a break for liberty from the criminal courtroom.

Thrown into temporary disorder by brilliant flashes of lightning and resultant thunder,

100 excited courtroom occupants saw Badgley bound from the jury box, hurdle a three-foot railing,

and dashed from the door.

Stop that man, stop him, court attachés shouted in unison.

Sergeant Richter, a witness in a blind tiger case, was conversing with other officers at the main entrance.

Jerking a blackjack from his pocket, Richter leaped to the doorway as Badgley appeared.

The officer swung the blackjack and simultaneously grasped Badgley by the collar.

Badgley offered little resistance, believing, he said, that Richter was

reaching for a revolver. Deputy Sheriff Bill Anderson handcuffed the prisoner and removed him to the

county jail to await commitment to the state penitentiary. As Badgley was led away, he declared, I sure was gone that time, I thought

the copper was going to shoot or I'd still be going. So far as is known, Badgley is the only

prisoner ever making such a bold attempt to escape from the criminal courtroom. When jury trials are

not in progress,

prisoners are seated in the jury box

until their removal to jail.

Badgley was convicted of stealing an automobile

from Wallace D. Morris.

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