PITTSBURGH, PA — Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti has announced that James Taric Byrd, 46, a resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted this week by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh. Byrd is charged with violating federal contempt of court laws and assault in the three-count indictment, which names him as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about July 18, 2022, Byrd is alleged to willfully and knowingly engaged in contempt of court by both engaging in misbehavior in the presence and so near there to the Court in order to obstruct the administration of justice, and by disobeying and resisting the lawful order and command of the Court by striking his own attorney in the courtroom. He is also charged with assault by striking, beating, or wounding.
The law provides no maximum sentence or fine for the contempt charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Indictment was the result of an investigation carried out by the United States Marshals. DeMarr W. Moulton, Assistant United States Attorney, represents the government in prosecuting the case.
It’s important to remember that an indictment only serves as an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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