Lawrence Courtroom Erupts as Murder Victim's Brother Sees Accused Killer [VIDEO]

Chaos erupted in a Lawrence courtroom Monday when the brother of a woman killed over the weekend saw the man accused of taking her life.

Tony Ventura, 32, of Lawrence was being arraigned in Lawrence District Court on accusations he murdered his girlfriend, Maria Morton, 32, in her Prospect Street home Sunday, the Essex County DA's Office said.

The courthouse was evacuated after a man, later reported by the Eagle-Tribune to be the victim's brother, tried to jump the rail when Ventura was brought out. Michael Morton was taken away in cuffs.

The Eagle-Tribune's Peter Francis tweeted this video:

A woman also shouted threats at Ventura. The Boston Globe reports the woman screamed “You’re [expletive] dead, [expletive]’’ as she was ushered out of the courtroom.

Ventura, after it all, was ordered held without bail. His next scheduled appearance is a probable cause hearing on Feb. 23.

>>>For the Eagle-Tribune's full report, click here.