Opinion ID: 2508188
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Barrier In Front of Defense Counsel Table Routinely Checked and Maintained

Text: The trial court found the defense and prosecuting attorneys at Davis's trial erected a barrier of boxes, briefcases, and garbage cans in front of defense counsel table in an effort to prevent the jury from seeing Davis's leg restraints. Davis assigns error to the trial court's findings that [t]his barrier was routinely maintained throughout the guilt and penalty phases, [53] and the attorneys periodically and regularly checked it each day, morning and afternoon, to ensure that it was intact. [54] Davis's lead trial counsel, Lloyde Alton, testified that after he and the other attorneys at Davis's trial initially erected the barrier, on subsequent days or mornings and afternoons, we would adjust the boxes and so on to try and hide the shackles. [55] Alton also testified that prior to each court session we would take notice of whether anything had been moved or there was a big gap or anything. [56] Deputy Prosecutor John Neeb corroborated Alton's testimony stating that anytime one of the defense attorneys removed a briefcase from the barrier, the attorney would put it back in place before the next court session. [57] None of the witnesses, however, testified that they checked the barrier every morning and afternoon, as the trial court concluded. Therefore, the record provides substantial evidence to support the trial court's finding that the barrier was routinely maintained, although the record does not support the finding that the attorneys checked the barrier each morning and afternoon.