Brawl erupts at man's court hearing in teen death

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP/WTNH) — A judge has cleared a courtroom at Waterbury Superior Court after a brawl erupted during the arraignment of one of two men charged in connection with the death of a pregnant 17-year-old .

As soon as 20-year-old Eric Delbuono was escorted into the courtroom, a fight broke out and the filled courtroom had to be evacuated.

The guards could be heard yelling for everyone to get out.

"Everybody out...get out...get them out...out of the courtroom."

It was Delbuono's father who police say started the fight. He was arrested and charged with contempt of court.

"He saw his son, he saw his face and he just bugged out," said Delbuono's aunt, "you know, just so upset to see him like that."

Everyone flooded outside of the courthouse as State Police showed up to investigate.

It was a scary moment for many caught up in the melee.

"It was scary because we didn't know what was going to happen, so everyone had to go out," said Anna Rivera.

Police say Delbuono and 29-year-old Justin Skipwith got into a fight early Sunday morning that ended with Skipwith running over and killing a 17-year-old girl with his car.

Delbuono is charged with assault, while Skipwith faces manslaughter and other charges.

"Everybody got hurt, everybody lost something from this experience," said Jacqeline Ortiz, Delbuono's cousin, "so it's a lesson learned for both sides..that's it."

While emotions ran high for all sides, the victim's friends say the kind of violence they saw inside of the courtroom Monday is what led to their friend's death in the first place.

"She's dead. We should be angry," said Jennifer Hack. "He's got three meals, medical, and a bed. She's dead, we don't ever get to see her again. We should be the ones turning around and hitting people, but we're not."

Just two days ago the victim had told her friends that she was pregnant. Those friends are now gathering at a makeshift memorial for her.