Florida judge accused of punching attorney

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VIERA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge accused of punching an assistant public defender during an altercation outside a courtroom will take a temporary leave of absence so he can get anger management counseling.

The chief judge of Florida's Eighteenth Judicial Circuit said Tuesday that all of Judge John Murphy's cases have been reassigned to other judges.

Chief Judge John Harris says the public expects a higher standard of behavior from judges than that which was exhibited by Murphy on Monday.

Murphy allegedly hit assistant public defender Andrew Weinstock outside a courtroom after the two exchanged words over whether his client could have a speedy trial.

A courtroom video moments before the fight shows the judge ordering Weinstock to sit down. The judge says he would throw a rock at Weinstock if he had one.

The judge then asks Weinstock if he wants a fight to step outside the courtroom

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Information from: WFTV-TV, http://www.wftv.com/index.html