A man accused of shooting at a sheriff's deputy outside a Deerfield Beach nightclub made his first appearance in court Wednesday, choosing to represent himself and claiming that he is the lawyer, not the suspect.
During the hearing, 24-year-old Demetrius Vidale told Broward County Judge Kenneth Gottlieb that his "client" (actaully himself) has been assaulted, kidnapped and is being held against his will.
Vidale is accused of shooting club-goer Jordan Harris and robbing him of his gold chain, along with shooting at Broward County Sheriff's deputy Derrick Nesbitt around 3 a.m. Monday at Club Tropicante in the 4200 block of North Dixie Highway, north of Sample Road.
Nesbitt, the deputy, happened to be in the area and heard the gunfire. When he got there, Vidale started shooting at him, deputies say.
Nesbitt fired back and escaped the shooting unharmed but Vidale got away, the sheriff’s office said. Harris was hospitalized but is expected to recover.
Vidale is charged with attempted murder, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, armed robbery, driving with a suspended license and obstructing law enforcement.
Vidale is being held in Broward County Jail without bond.