A Maine state trooper who has been on trial for alleged sexual contact with a minor was attacked and injured in a Wiscasset courtroom brawl this morning, just minutes before the jury in the trooper’s case was expected to announce its verdict.

Trooper Gregory Vrooman, 46, of Nobleboro was seated at a table in Lincoln Superior Court with his defense attorney, Steven C. Peterson, when he was attacked from behind, a witness to the melee said.

Prosecutors said the jury had wrapped up its deliberations and had reached a verdict.

But moments before the verdict was to be announced, William Harrison, 39, of Charleston, Mass., pounced on Vrooman and landed at least two punches before court officers could subdue him.

The jury and judge were not in the courtroom when the assault took place.

Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Hjelm dismissed the jurors before they could announce their verdict.

Lt. Michael Murphy, special services supervisor for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, was in the courtroom when the assault began. He said Vrooman was facing foward – toward the bench – and did not see Harrison coming from behind.

“Harrison jumped up and started throwing punches. (Vrooman) had no chance to defend himself,” Murphy said. “(Vrooman) was bleeding. He got hit pretty hard.”

Murphy and the three other officers in the courtroom quickly subdued Harrison, handcuffed him, and transported him to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Officers at Two Bridges Jail said Harrison was charged with Class B aggravated assault before being released this evening on $5,000 cash bail.

Harrison’s court date has been set for June 28 in Lincoln County.

Vrooman was taken out of the courtroom on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital, according to the Lincoln County News, which covered the trial.

His condition was not available tonight.

District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau said he was told by Assistant District Attorney Deborah Cashman, who is prosecuting the case, that Harrison is a relative of the victim.

Vrooman, a 24-year veteran of the state police force, was arrested in November 2010 on felony charges of tampering with a witness and unlawful sexual contact with a child.

Vrooman was released on bail after his arrest and has been on an unpaid leave of absence since then.

At his trial, Vrooman faced 13 charges, ranging from unlawful sexual contact with a minor, unlawful sexual touching with a minor, assault and tampering with a witness.

The Lincoln County News said the alleged victim is now 14.

Rushlau said Vrooman’s trial started Monday. The jury deliberated late into the evening on Wednesday before being sent home by the judge.

Jurors reconvened Thursday morning. By midmorning Rushlau said Vrooman and family members were just settling into their seats to await the verdict when the attack took place.

“We were on the verge of getting a verdict,” Rushlau said. “This was bizarre and unprecedented.”

Though no one except the jurors knows what the verdict is, Rushlau said he believes it is still valid and won’t be challenged.

Steven Peterson, Vrooman’s Rockport-based attorney, could not be reached.

Rushlau said Judge Hjelm will recall jurors to court once Vrooman has recovered from his injuries.

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