CLEVELAND -- Some big questions have been raised after a man collapsed in court while cases continued to be heard.

The man, Luis Otero, collapsed Monday morning while awaiting his arraignment in Cuyahoga County Court, and while he was on the floor it was business as usual, reported NewsChannel5 investigator Duane Pohlman.

The judge said bailiffs with medical training had the situation under control so he could continue with his docket.

All eyes in court were on the men accused in a downtown Cleveland shooting when NewsChannel5 cameras captured a prisoner, seated near the front, beginning to slump.

Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Charles Patton Jr. immediately knew something was wrong.

"His color was gone in his face so I knew he was in distress," he said.

Otero, charged with kidnapping and about to face the judge himself was in trouble.

"He had a seizure. He's had a history of seizures. We found out later," Patton said.

Patton continued with his docket despite the medical emergency unfolding, stopping to ask bailiffs to remove the man.

Then, moments later, the judge asked if help was on the way.

But EMS didn't arrive and load Otero on a stretcher until 17 minutes later.

"I was not happy with the EMS response time and was advised EMS was short staffed today," Patton said.

Patton said the situation was being handled by the trained bailiffs and said he was trained to keep his docket moving, whatever happens.

"This has happened in my courtroom since I've been a judge a couple of times. Million-dollar bails, they get panicky and just pass out," Patton said.

The major reason for keeping the docket moving is that some of the prisoners must be heard in a timely manner and the judge says that is his main responsibility.

No word yet from EMS on the delay in getting to the courtroom.

Otero is expected to face the judge again on Friday.