Melee Erupts As Man Gets 25 Years For Beating Death Of Toddler

VICTORVILLE (AP) — A courtroom melee forced a Southern California judge to clear his courtroom during sentencing of an Apple Valley man for the beating death of his girlfriend's 16-month-old daughter.

David Anthony Jackson, wearing a green jailhouse jumpsuit signifying he's a child abuser, was sentenced in Victorville on Thursday to 25-years to life in prison for the second-degree murder and assault of Jayanne Eason.

The Victor Valley Daily Press says the 28-year-old Jackson was listening to victim impact statements when a female member of his family shouted at the toddler's family, and the two sides began screaming and pushing each other.

Sheriff's deputies cleared more than 25 people out of the courtroom, but the squabbling family members kept shouting in the hallway and the parking lot.

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