Man bolts out of court, into judge’s chambers

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – A driver accused of causing two accidents bolted out of the courtroom while awaiting his arraignment and headed into the judge’s chambers before being tackled by security officers, apparently spitting on a state trooper, police said Wednesday.

The first accident happened around 5 a.m. Police claim that Adam Laframboise, 27, of Kittery, Maine, hit the back of a car on Route 103 in Kittery near the ramp to Interstate 95. It’s not clear whether the other driver was injured.

Police say Laframboise then traveled across the Piscataqua River Bridge into New Hampshire and allegedly hit another vehicle on the Spaulding Turnpike near a Home Depot in Portsmouth. The driver of the second car, James Stevens, 58, of Dover, was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and then released.

Laframboise, who was charged with driving while intoxicated, attempted escape and resisting retention, was waiting for court to convene when he slipped out of his handcuffs and attempted to escape by running into the judge’s chambers.

After a brief struggle, Laframboise was restrained by troopers and a police officer.

Judge Sawako Gardner ordered Laframboise held on $150,000 bail. He is being held at the Rockingham County Jail.