Opinion ID: 739728
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Appearance in Jail Clothing

Text: 62 Villafuerte argues he was denied a fair trial because he was compelled to wear jail clothing on the first day of trial. A defendant may not be compelled to be tried before a jury in identifiable prison clothes. United States v. Rogers, 769 F.2d 1418, 1420 (9th Cir.1985) (citing Estelle v. Williams, 425 U.S. 501, 96 S.Ct. 1691, 48 L.Ed.2d 126 (1976)). 63 Villafuerte refused to wear the civilian clothes provided for him on the first day of trial because, he contended, the clothing did not fit properly. Villafuerte has not presented evidence that the clothing fit so poorly that, in effect, no alternative to jail clothing was available. Because Villafuerte had civilian clothing available, but chose not to wear the clothing, Villafuerte has not demonstrated that he was compelled to appear in jail clothing. See Jeffers v. Ricketts, 832 F.2d 476, 481 (9th Cir.1987), rev'd on other grounds, 497 U.S. 764, 110 S.Ct. 3092, 111 L.Ed.2d 606 (1990). 64 Further, Villafuerte later volunteered to the jury, in response to an unrelated question, that he had been in jail for five months. This gave the jury the same information he now contends was improperly conveyed by his clothing. Any error relating to the jail clothing clearly could not have had the requisite effect on the jury's verdict under Brecht. This testimony also defeats Villafuerte's related claim of ineffective assistance based on his counsel's failure to object to Villafuerte's appearance in jail clothing or to seek a continuance to allow other clothing to be acquired. 10. Testimony of the Medical Examiner 65 Villafuerte contends that Doctor Jarvis, the medical examiner, testified while intoxicated and this violated his due process rights. Reviewing Villafuerte's petition for habeas corpus relief, the state trial court held that the factual predicate of the claim was lacking. The state trial court found, In the opinion of this court, there is no admissible evidence to sustain this claim. 66 We agree. Villafuerte asserts that the state trial court called Doctor Jarvis into chambers to chastise him about his intoxicated state. Villafuerte, however, does not explain where, when, or how he learned of this alleged chambers conference. The finding of the state court is presumed correct, on this record. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) (1994).