Battle inside an American court between a murder suspect and a relative of the victim (video)

A video shows a murder suspect being handcuffed and chased by the victim's uncle, who then throws him to the ground and punches him, sparking a massive brawl.

In detail, Alexander Ortiz appeared before a judge in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend a procedural hearing related to the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Aliana Farfan, 20 years old, whom he was accused of shooting and killing in her bedroom last year.

As he stood next to his lawyer, a man in the audience — later identified as Farfan's uncle, Carlos Lucero — suddenly jumped over a barrier and lunged at Ortiz, video obtained by KRQE shows.

Despite the suspect turning and trying to run, with court security personnel at his side, Lucero appears to have tackled him to the ground and started punching him.

During the altercation, another man - identified as Pete Yesasi - rushed in and joined the attack, appearing to kick the suspect.

The suspect's father, Juray Ortiz, then calmly walked up and began throwing punches in an attempt to "break up the fight," according to the video and police reports also shared by KRQE.

A correctional officer rushed to help as lawyers, other defendants and members of the public watched, stunned, before law enforcement officers finally broke up the brawl.

Ortiz, who is accused of abusing his ex-wife before her murder, suffered facial injuries in the altercation, according to a police report.

Lucero, 40, and Ysasi, 51, were both charged with assault and battery on a "peace officer."

Lucero later told police that Ortiz "killed my niece like a coward," adding that he "deserved every moment of it," according to the police report.

Ortiz was charged with killing Farfan in her apartment in January of last year. Police said friends in the apartment heard a gunshot and found her shot in the face after breaking down the door. Ortiz is said to have fled through a window.

Ortiz is also suspected in the murder of a girl named Nicole Maldonado at a food market on January 17, 2024. He was arrested by a SWAT team that tracked him down at a local residence.

Source: American Press