Man attempts suicide after guilty verdict in sexual assault case

After a jury found Thomas Branagan guilty on Thursday afternoon of sexually assaulting his girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter, the 45-year-old attempted suicide in Judge David Barker's courtroom by swallowing pills.

Court marshals descended on Branagan and immediately ordered him to spit out what was in his mouth, but he refused, witnesses said. One witness described the defendant's face as expanding or puffing up after he put the pills in his mouth.

The courtroom was evacuated, and Branagan was secured by marshals.

Branagan was taken to a holding cell, and marshals found a prescription bottle of Methadone. When asked if he took those pills and if he was trying to kill himself, Branagan answered yes, authorities said.

Authorities, however, were unable to determine if the pills he swallowed were Methadone.

He was treated by paramedics, who then rushed him to University Medical Center. His condition was not immediately known.

The attempt happened as Barker was addressing the jury after the verdict was read.

Barker declined to comment.

"This is absolutely shocking," said Branagan's attorney, Scott Eichhorn, who was standing next to him at the time. Eichhorn said the act was out of character for his client, who had maintained his innocence since his arrest.

Eichhorn said he hopes Branagan survives because there is more that can be done in his defense.

Branagan was arrested in 2009 for sexual assault on a minor under 14 years of age. He had been free on $50,000 bail throughout the trial.

According to his arrest report, Branagan denied the charges and requested to take a polygraph test, which indicated he wasn't being honest.

Branagan then admitted to investigators that he had sexual contact with the girl but said it was because of her actions, according to the arrest report.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.