Man who tried to attack prosecutor faces new longer sentence

LANSING (AP) — A man sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for trying to attack a Lansing-area prosecutor in court is facing a longer punishment after an appeal.

The Michigan appeals court agrees with prosecutors and says Joshua Harding should have been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison, based on his extensive criminal record. Harding will also get a chance to withdraw his guilty plea.

In 2016, Harding had a metal shank hidden in his sleeve while on trial for sexual abuse in Ingham County. Courtroom video showed a prosecutor getting out of the way at the last second while police tackled Harding.

The 37-year-old Harding won’t be free for a long time. He also has a 19-year prison sentence for criminal sexual conduct.