TRENTON -- A man on trial for murder now faces an assault charge after he punched his public defender in the face during a court hearing Thursday, authorities said.

Randy Washington

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office said Randy Washington "suddenly and violently struck" his court-appointed attorney in the face with a closed fist.

The incident happened just before 4 p.m. after closing arguments in the trial ended and the jury was dismissed for deliberations.

Sheriff's Officers Joseph DiLissio and Joel Adams immediately grabbed Washington and pinned him to a courtroom table before other officers helped remove him from the area.

The sheriff's office did not name the attorney, but Washington has been represented by deputy public defender Jessica Lyons in the trial.

She suffered multiple facial lacerations around her eye and was taken to the hospital, the sheriff's office said.

Washington was charged with aggravated assault and returned to jail.

"It is our sworn duty to protect the courts and all those involved in the judicial process," Sheriff Jack Kemler said. "We cannot and will not tolerate violence in our courthouses."

The public defender's office declined to comment on the incident. The judge said Lyons was not in court Friday due to "personal reasons."

Washington, 35, is accused of gunning down 64-year-old Silas Johnson Jr. on Market Street under the Route 1 overpass in October 2014. Prosecutors have said that Washington followed Johnson as he got off a train, then knocked him to the ground and shot him several times before fleeing the scene.

On Tuesday, Lyons had tried to have Washington acquitted, arguing that witnesses had not positively identified him as the killer and gave inconsistent statements, but the judge denied the motion.

Thursday's incident was not the first time Washington had an issue with his attorney. In January, he requested to represent himself, threatening to "do something" to his then-attorney Tom Belsky and telling the judge that Belsky was "feeding (her) a line of bull."

The judge denied his motion and Lyons was assigned his case.

Washington also faces charges in the July 2014 killing of 44-year-old George Jamison and a months-long armed robbery spree, but is only currently standing trial for the Johnson murder.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.