Court Video: Father Attacks Daughter's Killer

A brawl broke out in a US courtroom after a father lashed out at the man convicted of killing his three-year-old daughter.

Cameras captured the violent scenes during the sentencing of Jasmine Gordon and her boyfriend Clifford Thomas, who had both been convicted over the death of Jamila Smith.

Jamila's father, Dwayne Smith, was in court to deliver a victim impact statement but instead he went for Thomas and punched him in the head.

Officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Office separated the pair as they tried to continue their fight and yelling erupted in the courtroom.

The court was cleared and Mr Smith was not allowed to return - but he avoided charges of his own.

Gordon's lawyer John McWilliams said afterwards: "It was pretty scary. I'm glad nobody was seriously hurt."

Jamila Smith died last September after her mother rushed her to hospital.

Authorities found she had bruises consistent with abuse to her head and chest, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Gordon was sentenced to seven to 15 years for involuntary manslaughter and 14 to 25 years for first-degree child abuse as an aider and abettor, which will be served at the same time.

Thomas was sentenced to four-and-a-half to 15 years for involuntary manslaughter and one to two years for resisting and obstructing a police officer.