A Brevard County judge was on the other side of the bench Monday, facing his peers and charges stemming from a 2014 courtroom incident involving a public defender.

Both judge John Murphy and public defender Andrew Weinstock took the stand Monday afternoon.

Weinstock testified that he was punched so hard by Murphy that he "saw stars" during what prosecutors are calling the "brawl in the hall."

Murphy, however, denies punches were thrown and said he was the one who was attacked.

"I thought he was just going to yell at me," Weinstock said during his testimony. "And we would come to some sort of agreement as to how we were going to handle the rest of the cases."

During testimony, Weinstock detailed the moments that followed after Murphy called him into the courtroom hallway: "He had me pinned to the wall with his right arm, and he brought his left hand back in a fist. Then he punched me in the face, hitting me here (points to jaw)," Weinstock said.

Weinstock added during his testimony that he was punched twice before court deputies were able to break up the scuffle.

Murphy, during his testimony, denied hitting the public defender.

"I did not strike Mr. Weinstock, nor did I attempt to strike Mr. Weinstock," Murphy said. "He was coming at me fast, I thought I was being attacked. He had his hands out and hit me in the chest. And to get my balance and defensive, I grabbed him by the shoulders, and I started to swing him off balance, and I yelled the profane things trying to get him to submit."

Murphy's defense said Monday morning there was no dispute his actions in the courtroom on June 2, 2014 were inappropriate. But they added it's what happened in the courtroom hallway moments afterward — what wasn't caught on camera and recorded on the courtroom microphones — that's in dispute.

The video of the courtroom incident was played Monday for a six-member judicial ethics panel overseeing the case.

The argument inside the courtroom began when Weinstock said he was not waiving the right to a speedy trial.

Murphy is accused of punching Weinstock in the hallway after this exchange:

Murphy: You know, if I had a rock, I would throw it at you right now. Stop (expletive) me off. Just sit down. I'll take care of it. I don't need your help. Sit down.

Weinstock: I'm the public defender. I have a right to be here, and I have a right to stand and represent my clients.

Murphy: I said sit down. If you want to fight, let's go out back, and I'll just beat your [expletive].

The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission filed state ethics charges against Murphy two months after the incident.

In court Monday, the defense told the panel that despite the language used by Murphy, the only person who got physical was Weinstock. The defense said the judge got bruises on his chest from the altercation.

But Suzanne Carter Varilone, who was in court that day, along with a friend whose case hadn't come up yet, testified she saw the judge go first through the door, then Weinstock followed.

That, Varilone said, was when she saw the judge begin to throw a punch.

Varilone: I saw that the judge grab the public defender by the collar, lifted up an arm, and proceeded, he was going to punch him.

Prosecutor: Did you actually see a punch land?

Varilone: No, I did not.
Prosecutor: Why not?

Varilone: The door closes right after. In seconds, you heard the punch land.

A courtroom worker also testified the ongoing relationship between the judge and public defender was tense, but the exchange between the two that day was out of the ordinary.

Murphy's attorney said in opening statements that the judge has an unblemished record, and this was not a reflection of his career. The defense attorney added the judge apologized to all involved, including Weinstock, and even took anger management classes.

Depending on the outcome of the case, Murphy could be taken off the bench.

The hearing, taking place at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center at Viera, is expected to last through Tuesday. The defense could call more than 20 witnesses to the stand Tuesday.