CINCINNATI, Ohio — A woman accused of leading police on a high-speed multi-state chase was removed from a Hamilton County courtroom for the third time this week after another disruptive outburst during her latest hearing, according to court records and local news reports.
The defendant, identified as Iesha Harris, 34, is facing multiple felony charges stemming from a February police pursuit that stretched across Ohio and Indiana and ended in a crash involving law enforcement vehicles.
During a recent hearing in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, Harris became disruptive after the judge addressed her case status and prior behavior in court. Deputies were forced to physically remove her from the courtroom after she began yelling, kicking courtroom furniture, and spitting on the defense table, according to FOX19 NOW and WLWT News 5.
This marks the third time Harris has been removed from court due to outbursts during proceedings in the same case.
Judge Christopher McDowell previously found Harris in contempt of court during earlier appearances and issued jail sanctions tied to repeated disruptions. Following the latest incident, the judge revoked her bond and ordered her held in jail without bond while she awaits trial.
Court records show Harris had already been removed from court on at least two prior occasions during earlier hearings, including a bond hearing where she allegedly threatened a prosecutor and became physically and verbally disruptive.
In those earlier appearances, she was found in contempt and fined or sentenced to additional jail time for courtroom misconduct.
The charges against Harris stem from a multi-state police pursuit on February 28, during which authorities say she fled from officers through Ohio and into Indiana before returning to Hamilton County.
Police allege the chase began after officers attempted to stop a vehicle connected to outstanding felony warrants. During the pursuit, officials say Harris rammed police vehicles and continued driving despite multiple attempts to stop her, including the use of a PIT maneuver.
The chase ended when the vehicle crashed and caught fire. One officer was hospitalized with injuries sustained during the incident.
Harris has been charged with multiple felonies, including felonious assault on police officers and other offenses related to the pursuit. She has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege she previously cut off an electronic ankle monitor and fled the state before being located in Georgia and returned to Ohio custody.
Her trial is scheduled for later this year, with court officials noting she faces decades in prison if convicted.
Court remains tight-lipped on future proceedings
The judge has ordered Harris to remain in custody without bond due to repeated courtroom disruptions and concerns about flight risk.
Further pretrial hearings are expected ahead of the scheduled trial date.
Leave a Reply