Stacey Barchenger and Andrew Ford

FLORIDA TODAY

UPDATE, 5:25 p.m.:

Brevard County Judge John Murphy will take a leave of absence and seek anger management counseling following a scuffle in his Viera courtroom Monday morning, officials said today.

Chief Judge John M. Harris issued a written statement this afternoon related to an incident and alleged fight that occurred between the judge and assistant public defender Andrew Weinstock.

Harris' statement says Murphy's cases have been reassigned to other judges.

"Moreover, Judge Murphy has agreed to seek anger management counseling and treatment during a temporary leave of absence," the statement says.

Also today:

The Florida Bar, which handles attorney discipline, confirmed it has a "file open" related to the courthouse brawl.

The Judicial Qualification Commission could not confirm whether it was investigating Judge Murphy's role in the incident. However, officials said it was the kind of thing the JQC would investigate.

The criminal investigation continued, but no charges were filed. Brevard County sheriff's spokeswoman Deputy Maria Fernez said deputies "weren't able to get statements, that I'm aware of," from the judge and attorney.

The involved attorney, Weinstock, took the day off. Public Defender Blaise Trettis said Weinstock would be out for several days.

Update, 11:19 a.m.:

The day after a Brevard County judge allegedly fought with a public defender, the hall outside his normal courtroom was abuzz with chatter about a video that shows part of the incident.

Some said they saw it on Good Morning America. Others watched the video on their smartphones while awaiting their own court hearings.

Outside the courthouse, news trucks parked and television reporters did live takes on the front lawn.

Inside courtroom 3C, though, Judge John C Murphy was absent from the bench. Administrative Judge Michelle Baker took his seat and is handling Murphy's scheduled court proceedings today.

Murphy and assistant public defender Andrew Weinstock exchanged words in a hearing Monday morning. The exchange escalated, and video records Murphy challenging Weinstock: "If you want to fight let's go out back and I'll just beat your ass."

The men disappear off camera, to a hallway behind the judge's seat, and loud banging and cursing can be heard. The judge emerges, out of breath, but the attorney does not.

Brevard sheriff's spokeswoman Deputy Maria Fernez said the investigation was ongoing this morning, and deputies were working to get statements from both involved parties.

Original report:

Tensions erupted in a Brevard County courtroom this morning when a judge challenged an assistant public defender to "go out back and I'll just beat your ass."

Public Defender Blaise Trettis said Judge John Murphy grabbed Assistant Public Defender Andrew Weinstock and punched him in the head.

Video of the incident was released today to FLORIDA TODAY.

In the video, Murphy and Weinstock exchange words about a case after Weinstock refuses to waive one clients' right to a speedy trial.

"You want to set it for docket sounding, set it for docket sounding. I'm not waiving in any case. This is an emergency created by the state," the attorney says.

Murphy responds: "You know if I had a rock I would throw it at you right now. Stop pissing me off. Just sit down. I'll take care of it. I don't need your help. Sit down."

"You know what? I'm the public defender I have a right to be here and I have a right to stand and represent my clients."

"I said sit down. If you want to fight lets go out back and I'll just beat your ass."

The men disappear off camera, and loud banging can be heard. Public Defender Blaise Trettis said the men went into a hallway behind the courtroom typically used by judges and jurors.

"The lawyer said as soon as he got in the hallway the judge grabbed him by the collar and began punching him in the head," Trettis said. Trettis said Weinstock tried to stop the blows, and courtroom bailiffs came into the hallway and pulled the two apart.

On the video, while they are off camera, one of the men says: "I'm not kidding. You wanna [expletive] with me?"

The judge returns to the courtroom, but the attorney does not, according to the video. Murphy is out of breath when he retakes his seat.

"I will catch my breath eventually," he says. Those gathered in the courtroom applaud.

Trettis said he met with Weinstock, but he had not seen the courtroom video when he spoke with FLORIDA TODAY Monday evening. He said to his knowledge, criminal charges won't be pursued.

"I hope it's not a reflection on Judge Murphy's really outstanding legal career," Trettis said, adding, "If it's true, you know, I think it's really an uncharacteristic, isolated incident."

Contact Barchenger at 321-242-3669 or sbarchenger@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @sbarchenger.