Lawyer’s Pants Catch Fire During Florida Arson Trial

[Joshua Farrell]

It seemed like a set up to a tired joke: A lawyer's pants caught on fire in court.

But on Wednesday, it was Stephen Gutierrez's reality when the Florida defense attorney's pants began smoking during an arson trial, Eleventh Circuit Court Public Relations Director Eunice Sigler confirmed to NBC News Thursday.

Gutierrez, 28, was in the in the Miami-Dade county courtroom defending 49-year-old Claudy Charles, who was accused of setting his car alight.

But During his closing argument, Gutierrez began to feel heat coming from his pocket where he had several electric cigarette batteries, he told NBC News in an email.

As Gutierrez argued Charles' car had merely spontaneously combusted, the lawyer's pants seemed to do the same.

Witnesses in the courtroom told the Miami Herald the moment was "surreal," as Gutierrez rushed out of the courtroom while smoke billowed from his pocket.

Gutierrez said as the heat intensified, he hurried into the bathroom where he tossed the battery in water. He was able to return to the courtroom with a singed pocket.

"This was not staged," Gutierrez said. "No one thinks that a battery left in their pocket is somehow going to 'explode. After careful research, I now know this can happen. I am not the only one this has happened to, but I am in a position to shed light on the situation."

Read More: Lawyer's Pants Catch Fire During Florida Arson Trial - NBC News

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Wow. I would have never expected something like this happening. I guess some batteries aren't always built properly.

 

[Bluezone777]

I remember hearing the expression "liar liar pants on fire" but I didn't know it was to be taken literally. 😛

 

[Page]

yeah it's shocking news, och to that darn dick!!

 

[Lord Saru]

Would have been a joke in the court 😛

 

[David S]

I would of loved to been there. I'd like to see the reaction from in the court.

 

[Page]

I be there recording the and then up on YouTube 😛

 

[David S]

I be there recording the and then up on YouTube 😛

There wouldn't be a recording as it was in a court room. 😛

 

[Page]

There wouldn't be a recording as it was in a court room. 😛

I would had an plain 🙂

 

[David S]

There wouldn't be a recording as it was in a court room. 😛

I would had an plain 🙂

What plan would that be? 🙂

 

[Page]

Well the technology is amazing and you can have the cam anywhere on your body parts

 

[David S]

Well the technology is amazing and you can have the cam anywhere on your body parts

Wouldn't the cops check before you went in. To search you?

 

[Page]

Wouldn't the cops check before you went in. To search you?

well, not if it' in your paints 😛

 

[David S]

Wouldn't the cops check before you went in. To search you?

well, not if it' in your paints 😛

That's true. But who would want to hid it down there though? 😛