Opinion ID: 1907350
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Excessive Security Measures

Text: Elledge claims that the trial court erred in denying his motion for mistrial predicated on the appearance of a uniformed deputy in the courtroom and the employment of two plainclothes deputies who had allegedly brandished their weapons in front of the jury. Elledge further asserts that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to request the trial court to question the jury regarding whether they had seen the deputies' weapons. Elledge also contends that the excessive security measures continued into the postconviction proceeding where the prosecutor attempted to taint the proceedings by injecting security concerns. Any substantive constitutional challenge to the restraint employed during the penalty phase could have and should have been presented on direct appeal and is thus procedurally barred. See Harvey v. Dugger, 656 So.2d 1253, 1256 (Fla.1995). The ineffective assistance of counsel portion of this claim is meritless. The record of the penalty phase proceeding reveals that Laswell did assert an unsuccessful motion for mistrial on the basis that an armed, uniformed deputy had entered the courtroom and that the appearance of the deputy implied that Elledge was dangerous in a manner that prejudiced him. The record also demonstrates the correctness of the trial court's decision denying that motion. The trial court explained that uniformed deputies had entered the courtroom that morning just as they had throughout the penalty phase, and just as they do every day in each courtroom in the Broward County Courthouse. The court explained that the deputy had remained in the back of the courtroom for a matter of minutes pursuant to the routine practice of the Sheriff's Department in Broward County to circulate through the facility. In response to Elledge's allegation that one of the plainclothes deputies had brandished a weapon holstered on his lower leg in front of the jury, the trial court received the sworn testimony of both plainclothes deputies assigned to the courtroom. The one positioned in an area closest to the jury testified that he had worn his weapon either on his lower leg, which was inside a twelve-inch boot covered by a trouser, or in a waist holster that was always covered by either a jacket or a vest. The deputy positioned to the rear of the courtroom testified that he sometimes wore an ankle holster and low-quarter shoes, but stated that he always sat in the back, was never near the jury, and that he never positioned himself in a manner that would have revealed the gun to any member of the jury. In the face of this sworn testimony, there was no deficit in Laswell's failure to further request the trial court to poll the jury to determine whether anyone had seen a weapon. [21] Elledge's contention that the excessive security measures continued into the postconviction phase of his case is likewise meritless. In response to concerns raised by the State, the trial judge acknowledged that it had requested, but had not received, the personnel necessary to implement security measures standard to such matters. There was a brief pause in the proceedings while the necessary personnel were secured. Upon their arrival, the trial judge granted Elledge's request to have his hands uncuffed to facilitate note taking, and he remained shackled to the chair without objection.