CLEARWATER - An inmate at the Pinellas County Jail attacked two attorneys about 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in an attorney visitation room at the Pinellas County Jail, 14400 49th St. N. in Clearwater.
According to detention deputies, two attorneys, Bjorn Bruvand, 45, of Largo and Mary Arena, 38, of Brandon were at the jail to conduct an interview with their client inmate, Roderick Clark, 39.
The two attorneys were sitting in the attorney visitation room when Clark entered and said he wanted to fire them, according to the sheriff’s office report. The attorneys replied that they should not be fired as they were scheduled to begin trial on Monday, Nov. 2.
Clark was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on May 19, 2006, on one charge of burglary and domestic battery and one charge of sexual battery.
After the attorneys advised Clark not to fire them, he allegedly became irate and spat on Bruvand. As Bruvand ducked from the spit, Clark allegedly began striking him about the head and body.
Arena began to yell at the inmate to stop, at which time; Clark allegedly turned and struck her.
A trustee walking by the attorney visitation room observed Clark striking the attorneys. He called for help. Detention deputies immediately responded and secured inmate Clark.
Bruvand and Arena were both transported to Largo Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The attorney visitation room is equipped with a panic button for emergencies, but was not utilized during this incident.
