Authorities say the hallway takedown left the attorney with spinal fractures and a shattered pelvis.
CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A 36-year-old Aurora man was jailed this week after investigators say he body slammed a defense attorney in an Arapahoe County courthouse hallway, knocking the 69-year-old lawyer unconscious during a hearing tied to a fatal July traffic crash.
The case has drawn attention because it unfolded inside a courthouse and involved relatives of a child killed in the summer crash. Officials say the suspect, identified as Daniel Alexander Ashby, confronted attorney H. Michael Steinberg near a courtroom where Steinberg was representing the teen driver charged in the boy’s death. Deputies arrested Ashby at the scene on suspicion of second-degree assault. Jail records show he is being held on $75,000 bond while prosecutors review the arrest for formal charges.
According to an arrest affidavit summarized by authorities, Ashby moved toward the defense table area in a courthouse corridor as he tried to see the defendant. Steinberg, a longtime criminal defense attorney, pushed Ashby back to create space, the document says. Investigators say Ashby then lifted the attorney and performed an “MMA-style takedown,” slamming him onto the floor and rendering him unconscious. Paramedics took Steinberg to a hospital, where he was treated for multiple spinal fractures and a shattered pelvis. In an email to a news outlet, Steinberg said, “In the hospital with a shattered pelvis. In serious pain. Surgery is scheduled for Thursday,” adding that he could not comment further while recovering.
Court officials said the hallway disturbance halted proceedings for several minutes as deputies separated onlookers and secured the area outside the courtroom. The underlying case involves 19-year-old Christopher Ramirez-Rodriguez, accused of careless driving resulting in death after investigators said he ran a red light in July, killing a 12-year-old boy. Relatives from both families were present for the hearing. A judge previously warned attendees that outbursts and confrontations would not be tolerated inside the building, according to people familiar with the docket. Authorities said there is no evidence a weapon was used. They described surveillance video that captured portions of the struggle but did not immediately release the footage.
The courthouse complex in Arapahoe County spans two locations, in Centennial and Littleton, where district and county matters are heard for the 18th Judicial District. Security screening is required at the entrances, but hallways outside courtrooms often fill with defendants, witnesses and families waiting for cases to be called. Lawyers who practice regularly in the building said tempers can flare during emotionally charged hearings, particularly in cases involving deaths or serious injuries. Records show Ashby has prior encounters with the court system unrelated to this incident. Officials did not provide details about disciplinary steps for any staff, and no lockdown was ordered.
Prosecutors will decide whether to file formal assault counts in district court. If charged, Ashby would make an initial appearance where a judge could revisit bond and set the next court date. Investigators said they are collecting additional statements from witnesses who were in the hallway and reviewing camera angles to finalize the case file. Ramirez-Rodriguez’s traffic case remains on the docket, with future settings expected in the coming weeks. Court administrators said they plan to keep hearings on schedule and will provide updates on any room changes or security adjustments.
Outside the courthouse after the disruption, people who said they knew the victim’s family described raw grief that has lingered since the July crash. “Everyone is hurting,” said a family acquaintance who declined to give a full name because of the open cases. A defense attorney not involved in the matter said the episode underscores how quickly tensions can escalate around courtrooms. “We talk to clients every day about emotions,” the attorney said. “Inside these hallways, the rules have to hold.” Steinberg’s colleagues said he has practiced for decades and is known for steady, methodical work with juries.
As of Friday, Ashby remained in the Arapahoe County jail pending a charging decision. Hospital staff were monitoring Steinberg after surgery, according to people familiar with his condition. The next milestone is the prosecutors’ filing decision and the scheduling of Ashby’s first court appearance early next week.
Author note: Last updated December 12, 2025.