Opinion ID: 358317
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Outburst of Robert Lunceford

Text: 24 After testifying as a defense witness, Robert Lunceford, appellant's brother, disrupted the proceedings and, following a warning from the Bench, was removed from the courtroom. The record indicates that Robert Lunceford gestured to appellant from the rear of the courtroom while appellant was testifying and then started to address the judge as follows: Your Honor, I would like to, I would like to take . At that time, upon the request of appellant's counsel, the marshal escorted Robert from the courtroom. 25 Appellant characterizes his brother's conduct as an emotional outburst that prejudiced him in the eyes of the jury. We disagree. Clearly, any disturbance caused by Robert Lunceford did not appreciably affect the jury's perception of appellant. Furthermore, fault for Robert Lunceford's behavior cannot be attributed to the prosecution or to the court. Appellant did not request a cautionary instruction concerning the incident, and the court ordered Lunceford's removal to lessen the impact of the disruption.