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The father of a woman killed by a convicted sex offender dived across a courtroom table to attack him Thursday shortly after a judge sentenced the defendant to death for killing three people and wrapping their bodies in garbage bags.

Van Terry, the father of Shirellda Terry, had walked to the front of the courtroom to give a victim-impact statement and turned toward Michael Madison, who gave him a malicious smile. Terry lunged at Madison and was immediately swarmed by sheriff's deputies as Madison and his attorneys scrambled to get out of the way.

Law enforcement officers dragged Terry out of the courtroom and ushered him out of the courthouse. A spokesman for the Cuyahoga County prosecutor said the situation was being reviewed.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy McDonnell declined to clear the courtroom, and after about a 15-minute delay the hearing continued.

The judge accepted a jury's recommendation that Madison, 38, receive the death penalty. She could have chosen to sentence Madison to life in prison without parole. She said the horrific nature of Madison's crimes far outweighed evidence presented to spare him, including an abusive and chaotic childhood.

The jury convicted Madison last month of multiple counts of aggravated murder and kidnapping.

Madison didn't make any statements during Thursday's hearing except to answer questions posed by the judge. Defense attorney David Grant declined to comment afterward.