Opinion ID: 1654600
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: WHETHER BEING SEEN IN SHACKLES DENIED McGILBERRY A FAIR TRIAL.

Text: ¶ 7. McGilberry contends that he was denied a fair trial because he was allegedly seen in shackles by the jurors. First, this claim was not raised at trial or on direct appeal and is now procedurally barred from collateral review pursuant to Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1). Second, there is no substantial showing that McGilberry was actually seen in shackles by the jury. McGilberry instead offers the unsworn statement of an alternate juror who was released from service prior to deliberation. An alternate that does not sit on the panel has no effect on the outcome of the case. Mack v. State, 650 So.2d 1289, 1300 (Miss.1994). Generally, we have not found the right to a fair trial to have been abridged where the defendant has been seen in the courtroom by the jury in shackles or handcuffs. Brown v. State, 690 So.2d 276, 287 (Miss.1996) (citing Lockett v. State, 517 So.2d 1317, 1329 (Miss.1987)). This issue is without merit.