A burglary suspect punches his public defender in a Georgetown, Kentucky courtroom. The incident was caught on tape.

On Monday, 30-year-old Peter Hafer asked the judge for a new attorney. The defendant explained that he doesn't believe he is getting adequate communication or preparation from court-appointed lawyer Doug Crickmer. But Scott County Circuit Court judge Rob Johnson denied the request.

After Hafer declared that he'd rather be represented by the prosecutor than by Crickmer, he then threw a punch at the public defender's jaw. Off camera, he allegedly continued to punch Crickmer in the face and stomach until being restrained by courtroom personnel.

Crickmer was taken to a hospital where he was checked out for a black eye and a cut on his cheek.

Hafer is suspected of taking more than 50-thousand dollars worth of jewelry from a K-Mart store and causing over a thousand dollars in damage. He will now likely face an additional assault charge. However he will now get a new public defender for his trial.