Atlanta "Courtroom Killer" wasnt even cuffed

[Deuce]

Maybe there should be a standard policy put in place to have all suspects charged with violent crimes be in cuffs. If the jury knows this is standard practice it may prevent swaying of their perceptions while providing a safer environment for everyone in the courtroom. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, but being charged with a serious or violent crime warrents extra precautions IMO.

 

[theletch1]

Does a judge not give instructions to the jury to ignore certain evidence or what is to sway to their decisions or not sway their decision? What is the problem with a judge giving instructions not to allow the cuffs to sway their decision?

 

[Ray]

Does a judge not give instructions to the jury to ignore certain evidence or what is to sway to their decisions or not sway their decision? What is the problem with a judge giving instructions not to allow the cuffs to sway their decision?

A judge may give the instruction, but can we believe that everyone can truely follow those directions? Even though we'd like to believe that we are fair and open-minded, don't we really take into account the way a person looks, dresses and speaks when appraising him/her?

 

[Cryozombie]

A question that was rasied on the radio yesterday...

Apparently Michael Jackson was handcuffed when he was led into court, so why wasnt this guy?

 

[Elizium]

A question that was rasied on the radio yesterday...

Apparently Michael Jackson was handcuffed when he was led into court, so why wasnt this guy?

GA state law says that no one is allowed to be handcuffed in court regardless of crime or criminal activity. This was said on Fox and friends Tuesday morning regarding the arrest of the person.

As for Jackson, different law, different state.

 

[theletch1]

He was brought back into court this morning to have the original rape charge declared a mistrial and was in cuffs and shackles...did the law change?

 

[Elizium]

He was brought back into court this morning to have the original rape charge declared a mistrial and was in cuffs and shackles...did the law change?

I think the courts relized that the original law is no longer viable. After killing a Judge, it seems that they are not willing to take chances of it happening again.

 

[BrandiJo]

if he was able to get away once because he wasnt in cuffs then im all for cuffing him this time and taking my chances with haveing the jury "unfairly infuanced" then haveing him kill another jduge and who ever else. On an everyday court basis i would still have to say that cuffs are not a good idea because if you see a person like that it does make you think they are more likely to be guilty then not.

 

[Elizium]

i would still have to say that cuffs are not a good idea because if you see a person like that it does make you think they are more likely to be guilty then not.

Tell that to the family members he killed in his escape.

 

[sgtmac_46]

Originally Posted by BrandiJo
i would still have to say that cuffs are not a good idea because if you see a person like that it does make you think they are more likely to be guilty then not.



If someone's worth sending to prison, they're worth handcuffing to get them there. I'm not sure the "lets give them one free chance to shoot someone" before we decide to handcuff them is exactly the best strategy, but who knows.

 

[sgtmac_46]

Absolutely. Complacency kills. The guy even killed a Federal agent the same day he was captured. All this because it "doesn't normally happen".

Shock Belts. Designed so if any attempt is made to remove it, it shocks. If the subject gets a set distance away, it shocks him. Command button pushed and it shocks him. Put it under a sports coat if you have to. I believe that they are used frequently in Federal trials. Dont know why the technology hasnt caught on. Probably because of Amnesty International.

Yep...here they are.
http://www.zarc.com/english/consumer/stungun_amnesty2.html

Definitely because of Amnesty International. Can't actually have prisoners being forced to behave can we?

 

[Tgace]

Originally Posted by BrandiJo
i would still have to say that cuffs are not a good idea because if you see a person like that it does make you think they are more likely to be guilty then not.



If someone's worth sending to prison, they're worth handcuffing to get them there. I'm not sure the "lets give them one free chance to shoot someone" before we decide to handcuff them is exactly the best strategy, but who knows.

I wonder what that courts security SOP's are now?

 

[sgtmac_46]

I wonder what that courts security SOP's are now?

I'll almost bet they'll never have another unsecured inmate again.