Bailiff injures knee in scuffle at courthouse

SARASOTA - [John Anthony Caso, a self-employeed hairdresser and chef, was supposed to go to court this week because he did not pay part of an $1,800 fine.

Clearly upset, Caso argued with bailiffs, did not make it inside the courthouse and wound up in jail when he brawled with a deputy.

The deputy, Greg Holloway, tore his patellar tendon while he and Caso struggled on the sidewalk outside the historic courthouse in downtown.

Caso, 33, showed up at 11:30 a.m. and tried to go to collections court. He owes part of the fine because he was arrested for disorderly intoxication in April, court records show. That misdemeanor led to a fine, which the court says Caso did not fully pay.

When he showed up at the metal detectors in the lobby, Caso started shouting and cursing, according to a sheriff’s report. Deputies say that he had bloodshot eyes and was slurring his words.

Court employees told him to leave.

Caso, deputies say, “bowed up” as though he were going to fight, but decided to walk out. He slammed the door on his way, and deputies confronted him outside, reports say.

Caso punched Holloway in the chest, witnesses said, and Holloway fell. Other deputies pulled Caso away and Holloway was taken to the hospital.

Authorities charged Caso with aggravated battery.

Caso could not be reached for comment.