CLEVELAND — Grief turned to fury Thursday as Van Terry, father of 18-year-old Shirellda Terry, leaped over a courtroom table to attack convicted serial killer Michael Madison moments after the judge pronounced a death sentence.

Terry had just addressed the court, speaking about the devastating impact of his daughter’s loss. “Right now, I guess we’re supposed to, in our hearts forgive this clown, who has touched our families, taken my child,” he said before turning toward Madison and lunging.

Court deputies quickly restrained Terry, while Madison and others scrambled to safety. The courtroom erupted in chaos but the judge, Nancy McDonnell, did not clear the room. After about 15 minutes, proceedings resumed.

Madison, 38, was sentenced to death for the 2013 murders of Angela Deskins, Shetisha Sheeley, and Shirellda Terry. Evidence showed he strangled two of the women and could not recall killing the third. The jury’s recommendation followed testimony about his abusive childhood, which defense attorneys argued contributed to his psychological state, though it did not excuse his crimes.

Prosecutors emphasized that Madison’s actions warranted the maximum sentence. Any execution is likely years away due to appeals and Ohio’s current shortage of lethal injection drugs.

The 2013 discovery of the victims’ bodies drew national attention, raising fears of another serial killer in Cleveland, following the case of Anthony Sowell, convicted in 2011 for killing 11 women.