A Colorado man has been charged with second-degree assault after authorities say he violently attacked the defense attorney representing the suspect accused of killing his 12-year-old nephew during a court hearing in Arapahoe County, as reported by The New York Post.
Daniel Ashby, 36, was taken into custody Monday inside the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Littleton, Colorado, after allegedly body-slamming attorney H. Michael Steinberg in a hallway outside a courtroom, according to a report from CBS Colorado.
Prosecutors allege Ashby used an “MMA-style takedown,” leaving the attorney unconscious and seriously injured.
🇺🇸🤬🏛️💥 Tío en Colorado derriba con fuerza a abogado de asesino de su sobrino en corte ¡Un golpe de rabia que rompe huesos y enciende la furia familiar! 💥 Daniel Ashby, de 36 años, derribó al abogado H. Michael Steinberg con una técnica de MMA en el pasillo del tribunal… pic.twitter.com/XEkG9I8UPu
— ⓍULTIMAHORAENX (@ULTIMAHORAENX) December 12, 2025
Ashby was in court for a hearing involving 19-year-old Christopher Ramirez-Rodriguez, who is accused of running a red light and killing Ashby’s nephew in July. Steinberg was representing Ramirez-Rodriguez at the time of the incident.
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According to an arrest record obtained by CBS Colorado, Ashby allegedly “aggressively approached” Steinberg in the courthouse hallway while attempting “to see the defendant.”
Police said Steinberg pushed Ashby back to create space, at which point Ashby allegedly executed the takedown.
Steinberg, a longtime defense attorney who has appeared as a guest commentator on CNN and Fox News, was rendered unconscious during the encounter.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for multiple spinal fractures.
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In an email sent Tuesday, Steinberg told CBS Colorado that he also suffered a “shattered pelvis,” was in “serious pain,” and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday.
Court officials said the incident was not captured on surveillance video. Ashby was immediately detained by authorities at the courthouse.
Jail records reviewed by The Post show Ashby is being held at the Arapahoe County Jail on a $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court Friday in connection with the alleged assault.
Ashby’s older brother, Michael Ashby, who is the father of the 12-year-old victim, said he was present at Monday’s hearing but did not witness the hallway incident.
He told CBS Colorado that multiple family members have been attending court proceedings and that emotions have been high.
“The whole family is frustrated with this legal system,” Michael Ashby said, adding that tensions between the families have been significant.
Court records show that after the incident, the judge overseeing the case warned both families against “taking justice into their own hands.”
Public records cited by CBS Colorado indicate Daniel Ashby has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple violations of protective orders and prior jail sentences.
The underlying criminal case stems from a fatal crash that occurred around 10 a.m. on July 19 in Aurora. Police said Ramirez-Rodriguez ran a red light and struck Ashby’s 12-year-old nephew as the boy was crossing the road on an electric scooter.
According to the Aurora Police Department, Ramirez-Rodriguez remained at the scene and was cooperative with officers. Investigators said drugs or alcohol were not suspected, but distracted driving was being examined as a possible contributing factor.
Ramirez-Rodriguez has been charged with careless driving resulting in death. That case remains pending.
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I HATE TO SAY THIS……..BUT THE BODY SLAMMER IS NOT GUILT IF I GET ON THAT JURY
If I was the Family of the body slammed lawyer the Family of the body slammer would not be safe anywhere..
Sounds like the defense attorney put hands on a grown man and got slammed.
Lawyers are some of the lowest life forms around.
Wait, the attorney shoved Ashby first? Self Defense all the way!
Who is paying that high priced lawyer
Is it another ILLEGAL INVADER that Killed a AMERICAN???? o’biden’s grift to America that keeps on giving year in and year out!!!
So now 3 families and the entire legal community is suffering, and you take 5 seconds to spew bullshit racism online? Take your bullshit racism and find some compassion for the 12-year-olds and the 19-year-olds families, even if you can’t find it for the old man now in surgery. Grow up.
Now the case will delay LONGER because new counsel has to be appointed, then we get a whole other case costing this idgets family time, money, and jail time. But let’s shout at the clouds about things that didn’t have any roll in this, sure. And not hold people to account for their actions no matter who gets hurt? Sounds great too.