By Meghan McCormick
A convicted sex offender who slit his own throat and allegedly stabbed a sheriff's deputy inside a Cleveland County courtroom last month faces assault and battery charges.
Cleveland County prosecutors have charged Troy Jefferson Leal, 43, in district court with a felony count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and carrying weapons, a misdemeanor.
November 12, District Judge William C. Hetherington Jr. had just sentenced Leal to six years with the Department of Corrections for violating his probation when he took out an X-Acto knife, cut his own throat and stabbed Deputy Steve Lucas who tried to restrain him, according to a court affidavit.
"Leal cut Lucas on the right forearm five times, leaving severe lacerations which ultimately required 18 stitches," the affidavit stated. "Leal inflicted life-threatening cuts upon himself, severing his carotid artery."
Both Leal and Lucas were transported by ambulance to Norman Regional Hospital for treatment. According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, Leal spent several days in the hospital recuperating from his injuries before he was released to DOC custody.
Lucas was treated and released from the hospital. He has since returned to work at the courthouse.
