Opinion ID: 361134
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The first expulsion.

Text: 22 a) Events. 23 At an appearance on January 11, 1973, two months before trial, appellant interrupted the remarks of other parties several times and changed the subject to inquire of motions he had filed. The trial judge clearly warned him that unruly or disruptive behavior at trial would forfeit his right to conduct his defense and to stay in the courtroom. Tr. Jan. 11, pp. 20, 28, 31. 24 These warnings were forcefully repeated on the first day of trial, March 6, 1973, when it was finally determined that appellant would represent himself. 3 Shortly afterwards, during the selection of jurors, the defendant raised several matters out of turn, and once interrupted the judge as he was talking to him. When he interrupted the judge two more times in quick succession, and insisted that witnesses leave immediately before the jury entered, the court stopped and issued an extended warning that it, not the defendant, would preside in the courtroom. During this warning the defendant interrupted the judge and inquired, Are you looking for excuses, Your Honor, to take me out of the court? The rest of the day passed without further serious incident, although the defendant was variously guilty of interrupting, asking repetitive questions, and arguing his case or with the witnesses. On each occasion he was admonished. Tr. Mar. 6, pp. 3, 4, 9, 10, 68, 71, 76, 125, 129, 133, 180-1, 184, 196. 25 On March 7, the second day of trial, the defendant's participation was limited to cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. From time to time he became argumentative and had to be admonished. On one occasion he entered into an irrelevant dialogue with a witness. Tr. Mar. 7, pp. 24, 46, 63, 68, 74, 77, 115-6, 193. 26 On March 8, the third day of trial, the court took up several housekeeping matters before calling in the jury for resumption of the testimony. The defendant learned that the witnesses he had planned to call first would not be available until later. The court denied his motion for a continuance until they arrived. Next, copies of proposed instructions were distributed early, to give the parties extra time for study. The court denied the defendant's immediate motion to dispense with instructions, prompting him to complain that I can't have my trial and my rights at the same time. Thereupon co-defendant Bojorquez moved that new counsel be assigned to him, saying his present attorney had failed to make objections on his behalf. The court denied this request as well and was proceeding to explain the limited role of standby counsel when defendant interrupted to provoke an increasingly heated dialogue. 4 After arguing with the judge, appellant raised a clenched fist, and finally taunted the court to expel him. The court obliged. Tr. Mar. 8, pp. 2-5. 27 b) Analysis. 28 In judging whether the preceding events constituted sufficient grounds for concluding that the trial could not have proceeded fairly and efficiently so long as appellant was present in the courtroom, we are mindful that we are engaged, to some extent, in second guessing. Deference would be owed in any event to the decision of the judge in whose hands the actual responsibility for courtroom conduct is placed. Discretion attends his position. See Allen, supra, 397 U.S. at 343, 90 S.Ct. 1057; Kizer, supra, 569 F.2d at 507; Ives, supra, 504 F.2d at 942. Still further deference is due in this case, however, because we view the evidence from a cold record. 29 (T)he appellate court is not in as good a position as the trial judge to determine the effect a defendant's disruptive conduct may have had on the proceedings. Even though facial expressions, gestures and other nonverbal conduct are often tremendously significant, they cannot be transcribed by the court reporter. 30 Id. We must, and do, give great deference to the decision of the trial judge. 31 We sustain the removal order of March 8. Defendant's behavior was seriously disruptive. Baiting the trial judge to remove him was a direct challenge to the court's authority which left the court little choice in establishing its credibility. The display of a clenched fist, either as a sign of disrespect or as a gesture of intimidation, would shatter the courtroom's atmosphere of careful inquiry. These acts transcended the defendant's role as his own attorney. Fair warning of the consequences of misbehavior had been given. Allen, supra, 397 U.S. at 343, 90 S.Ct. 1057; Ives, supra, 504 F.2d at 942. The appropriate assurance that the defendant could return as soon as he agreed to conduct himself in an orderly manner was also extended. Id. 397 U.S. at 343, 90 S.Ct. 1057; Tr. Mar. 8, pp. 6, 58. The defendant was therefore properly expelled. 32