Man gets 15 years for hitting public defender

BILLINGS (AP) — A California fugitive who hit his Montana public defender in the head during an extradition hearing, possibly causing permanent injuries, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Assistant Public Defender Erik Moore lashed out at David Anthony Aguilar Jr. in court Thursday, saying "people like you don't change" and "belong behind bars."

Aguilar, 33, had pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon for hitting Moore in the head with his handcuffed hands without warning during a video court appearance Jan. 21.

Moore testified that he has post-concussion syndrome and may have permanent injuries to his brain and eyes, which are sensitive to light, The Billings Gazette reported (http://bit.ly/1kM9LJV ).