Authorities in Hutchinson are investigating an attorney who brought an empty grenade shell to court.

The Hutchinson News reports Sam Kepfield was defending a woman on trial for forgery and theft when he showed the grenade to the jurors.

Kepfield claimed he was demonstrating "an imminent threat."

The Reno County Sheriff's Department says it's illegal for anyone to bring any weapons into court, real or not, unless they are authorized under the law to do so.