Opinion ID: 1090851
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: Failure to Object to the Security at Trial

Text: ¶ 137. Russell states that defense counsel failed to do something about the massive security presence in the courtroom at the 1990 trial, and further alleges that officers who were witnesses wore their uniforms to court, clearly identifying their affiliation with the threatening mass of their cohorts in the audience. Russell cites the testimony of Christopher Womber, (which has now been recanted), where Womber, in attempting to show the distance from his cell to another point, stated I could see about where that officer is over there and on another page, about as far as from me to where that sheriff is sitting there, and on another page, Naw, like that guy setting back there. That's help with that fatigue onwhen they dial that number, them guys will come and some guys in black will come. Russell also cites the unsworn statement of Grady Harris, an inmate witness, and the affidavit of Russell's aunt, Louise Robinson, who stated that she had never been to a trial before, but she was scared by the presence of so many armed guards. What Robinson did not say was that she testified any differently because of the presence of the guards. ¶ 138. From this limited record we cannot determine what size the security presence at the 1990 trial was, but it would be surprising if it was not large. Russell was on trial for killing an MDOC corrections officer and was already incarcerated on an armed robbery conviction. In addition, Russell had allegedly, while being treated at UMMC Medical Center in 1987, overpowered a guard, taken his pistol, and escaped with another guard as hostage. The escape attempt ended with Russell's capture after an exchange of gunfire. Several Parchman inmates were also witnesses at the trial. We find that this issue is without merit.