A long-simmering grudge over a decade-old lawsuit turned into a violent street attack last summer. A Sonoma County judge ruled Thursday that there is enough evidence for a former client to stand trial for the assault and attempted kidnapping of a local public defender.
Per the Press Democrat, prosecutors say 45-year-old Leon Simms Jr. attacked the attorney—identified in court as John Doe—last July near the county courthouse. Testimony revealed the motive stemmed from a workplace injury settlement reached six years ago; Simms reportedly felt “shortchanged” by the $5,000 payout, believing he was owed ten times that amount.
The victim testified that he was choked, punched unconscious, and told he was being taken to a bank. He eventually used a stainless steel water bottle to fight back. Police later found the attorney’s stolen sunglasses and “odd” text messages at the suspect’s home. Simms now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted kidnapping and robbery.