Attorney accused of assaulting first responder to rep herself

Dec. 5, Houston area attorney Katrina Davis advised Jefferson County Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens that she “absolutely” wanted to represent herself in defense of violent felony charges posed against her.

Davis, an hour late to court due to alleged traffic congestion on Interstate 10, addressed the court with an arm full of stuffed animals clutched next to her chest for “emotional support.”

Davis is accused of attacking HEB shoppers in Beaumont  – and a public servant – with a cake knife in 2020. According to a probable cause affidavit penned by Beaumont Police Department (BPD) Officer T. Armstrong, then 39-year-old Katrina Davis grabbed a cake knife from the bakery section of HEB’s College Street location Sept. 24, 2020, and threatened to use it. In an attempt to intervene and quell the danger, Beaumont Fire Marshal Terence Simon entered the store and tried to calm Davis.

The probable cause affidavit further details that Davis began swinging the knife at Simon’s head, effectively assaulting a public servant in the eyes of Texas law, the officer swears. Simon was reportedly able to avoid the attack without injury while diverting Davis’ attention from shoppers. BPD officers eventually arrived and disarmed Davis by deploying a conducted electrical weapon.

Davis said the only criminal defense experience she has was garnered in law school, and has not been retained as a private defense attorney to date, despite being licensed to practice since 2017. When asked to report what law she has practiced, Davis advised the court that she represented herself in a divorce.

Judge Stevens said he was reluctant to quell a person’s right to represent themselves in court proceedings in defense of criminal allegations – even though it is rarely a good idea. Advising Davis of his experience in pro se trials ending in ruin, Stevens urged Davis to be sure of her intent.

Davis, adamantly invoking her right to pro se, did concede on allowing another attorney to assist her in her defense. Houston Attorney Philip Gommels, who has represented Davis in court proceedings related to the assault on a Beaumont public servant for roughly the last two years, will assist Davis in her “pro se” self-representation, as ordered by the court.

“Be prepared,” like any good Eagle Scout, Stevens said. “I think it’s the wisest choice.”