Cook County inmate attacks his lawyer at jail: officials

A Cook County Jail inmate awaiting trial on sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping charges attacked his assistant public defender Wednesday at the jail, authorities said.

Jimmie Smith, who is housed at Division 9 of the jail, attacked the public defender as the lawyer and his legal partner were wrapping up their visit with Smith around 2 p.m., according to Cook County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Sophia Ansari.

Smith, 39, was handcuffed during the visit, Ansari said.

The attorney was stabbed in the head several times with a pen, a source said.

The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment of what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries, Ansari said.

This was the second time the attorney was attacked in the jail, the source said.

Charges tied to Wednesday’s incident are pending against Smith, Ansari said.

As soon as the lawyer was attacked, correctional officers took custody of Smith and called 9-1-1, Ansari said.

Smith is being held without bond for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sexual assault and bringing contraband into a penal institution.