Chaos unfolded at a Massachusetts courthouse Tuesday as the family of a man accused of murder in a road rage incident came to blows with the victim’s family following his hearing.
Ryan Sweatt, 36, appeared in front of a Framingham District Court for allegedly murdering 26-year-old Destini Decoff in Hopkinton, Mass. on April 4, according to Boston 25 News.
But as Sweatt’s arraignment ended, chaos broke out in a brawl outside the courtroom.
Members of both families were seen shouting and cursing at each other just before the brief violent exchange ignited, video obtained by the outlet shows.
Police and court officers quickly jumped into action and broke up the melee.
Decoff’s aunt, Dawn Anderson, was seen whipping blood away from her neck following the courthouse violence, but no one was seriously injured in the fight.
Anderson was escorted away from the area by two officers and claimed that one of Sweatt’s family members tried grabbing her by the hair, but she was able to “her on the ground” after the failed attempt.
No arrests were made following the fight, police told the outlet.
Though the group came to blows, Decoff’s family is committed to seeing their loved ones, the accused killer, feel the full wrath of the justice system.
“Destini will get her justice somehow, someway, but that family is sick, sick, sick, sick,” Anderson told the outlet.
Investigators found that Sweatt was driving a Honda Civic on Route 85 last month when he allegedly got into an on-road altercation with a Toyota.
The two cars then pulled over, and Decoff and the group of people she was with got out of their vehicle.
Sweatt reportedly drove away, but prosecutors allege he made a U-turn at a high rate of speed and struck the victim in the roadway.
“We knew something was going on. We could tell there’s a little road rage going on,” witness Brett Martin told WCVB. “All her clothes were knocked off. I actually picked up her jacket. Just to cover her up.”
Decoff was critically injured in the crash and died two days later at the hospital.
Sweatt’s lawyer, Derege Dimissie, claimed his client “did not see” Decoff and “did not intend to kill her.”
His attorney claims that he hit Decoff while trying to get away in fear for his life, worried that the other members of the Toyota were going to kill him.
Police recovered a knife from the crime scene, but investigators found that his story didn’t add up to what security footage and witnesses saw.
Sweatt was arrested and pleaded not guilty on April 5.
The victim’s mother, Tracy Decoff, believes that Sweatt’s actions were “intentional” and that he murdered her daughter.
“If Massachusetts had the death penalty that’s what I would want,” she told Boston 25 News.
She said her daughter was “beautiful inside and out” and had never done “anything for anyone.”
Sweatt was previously charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, operating to endanger, and a marked lanes violation.
He has now been charged with murder following Tuesday’s hearing.
Sweatt is currently being held without bail.
