"He would shout to the families, 'Burn in the U.S.A.,' " Ms. Cain said, referring to a courtroom outburst.

He swept out of the room, accompanied by the lead prosecutor and Mr. Gotti's lawyer, and this led Mr. Gotti to a courtroom outburst.

A Houston lawyer who made anti-Semitic remarks about a county judge in an angry courtroom outburst has been ordered by a Federal judge to begin serving a six-month jail term.

Defense lawyers could ask, but judges are loath to reward courtroom outbursts.

After Mr. Hussein was arrested Dec. 13, 2003, he gradually faded from view, save for his courtroom outbursts and writings from prison.

For one condemned man in California, his courtroom outburst has factored prominently into the appeals process.

About the courtroom outburst, Justice Anderson noted that "there was great applause ... and this was bound to have influence".

And his colorful courtroom outbursts seem to be making a stronger impression on the jury than Charlie Taft's witnesses for the prosecution.

But it brought an emotional courtroom outburst of whoops, shrieks and cheers from Mr. Gatien's relatives, friends and employees.

Lawyers for the defendants argued that their courtroom outburst was not relevant to their actions nearly three years ago.