The man accused of knocking Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, to the floor in the basement of the U.S. Capitol has pleaded guilty to a felony count of assaulting a member of Congress.
In return for his plea, Frank Goode, 33, will not serve jail time. Setencing is scheduled for Sept. 6 in Washington, D.C.Goode entered the plea June 11, two months after being charged in Washington, D.C., Superior Court with attacking Orton as the Utah Democrat was heading to the House floor for a vote March 29.
Orton was walking behind Reps. Ron Klink, D-Pa., and Karen Thurman, D-Fla., in a tunnel connecting the House office buildings with the Capitol.
According to court documents and Capitol Police, Goode banged shoulders with Klink. Orton then asked Klink if the act was intentional.
Goode then ran at the group of three lawmakers, striking Orton in the back and knocking him to the ground, police said. Nearby Capitol Police officers were summoned and Goode was arrested.
The incident left Orton with three herniated discs in his back.