Woman goes on tirade, reportedly bites guard, breaks flagpole, destroys items in Mississippi courtroom

Published 2:39 pm Wednesday, September 13, 2023

A woman had to be subdued and forcibly removed from a Mississippi courtroom after she reportedly bit a guard, and broke a flagpole, printers and other items in the courtroom.

The incident happened one day after county supervisors cut the sheriff’s budget, including the elimination of some guard positions in Adams County Courtrooms.

Ashley Ann Mackels, 39, is accused of assaulting a female guard and damaging several items in the Adams County Youth Court.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

“The judge in youth court during a detention hearing called for the removal of Ms. Mackels, who had gotten unruly,” said Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten.

Mackels allegedly refused to follow verbal commands from the guards in the room, who then tried to escort her from the courtroom.

“While attempting to subdue her, Ms. Mackels bit the guard in her back and spit in her face before being restrained and removed from the courtroom,” Patten said. “On this day, we had two guards in the courtroom, but due to budget constraints, we are down to one in the youth court going forward. Sporadic incidents like this can happen at any time and this is why we need to put more value on the security that has been provided over the years to our judges and court personnel, as well as those who are being called before a judge.”