Opinion ID: 1621897
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: use of leg shackles

Text: Kinder claims that the trial court erred in requiring him to wear leg shackles during a portion of the guilt phase of trial. The court stated on the record that the deputies and bailiffs had expressed a desire that Kinder wear leg irons, because of some remarks allegedly made by Kinder. After Kinder's counsel objected, however, the leg irons were removed, and the parties dispute whether the jury actually saw that Kinder's legs were shackled at any time. The use of restraints for courtroom security purposes is within the discretion of the trial court. State v. Amrine, 741 S.W.2d 665, 675 (Mo. banc 1987), cert. denied, 486 U.S. 1017, 108 S.Ct. 1756, 100 L.Ed.2d 218 (1988); State v. Sanders, 903 S.W.2d 234, 239 (Mo.App.1995). In this case, there is not a clear indication that the short period of time Kinder was required to wear leg irons deprived him of his presumption of innocence. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion.