Opinion ID: 1518773
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: was the courtroom security prejudicial?

Text: Appellant contends that he was unduly prejudiced by the presence in the courtroom of three deputy sheriffs wearing what he described as combat-like fatigue uniforms. Appellant likens this display of security to requiring a defendant to appear before the jury in prison or jail clothing or in shackles or bonds, procedures forbidden absent exceptional circumstances. See Estelle v. Williams, 425 U.S. 501, 96 S.Ct. 1691, 48 L.Ed.2d 126 (1976). Appellant also contends that the excessive display of security conveyed to the jury the inference that Appellant was extremely dangerous, and, therefore, must be guilty. Kennedy v. Cardwell, 487 F.2d 101 (6th Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 416 U.S. 959, 94 S.Ct. 1976, 40 L.Ed.2d 310 (1974). The Commonwealth responds that the guards were deputy jailers needed to move Appellant back and forth, and the clothing complained of was simply the uniform required by the jailer. Additionally, Appellant was not in fact shackled, handcuffed, or even seated near a jailer or other security officer. Finally, the Commonwealth distinguishes the Kennedy case, since it involved a defendant who was actually handcuffed to a uniformed deputy sheriff during the trial proceedings, and was accompanied by another deputy and a U.S. Marshal. Id. at 102. The court in the Kennedy case noted that the objection to placement of guards had two bases: first, that the impression could be created in the minds of the jurors that the defendant is dangerous and untrustworthy, the ground asserted in the case at bar; and, second, that the guards could interfere with the ability of the defendant to communicate with counsel. Id. at 106. Additionally, the Kennedy court emphasized that to review this allegation of error there should be a record made of the basis for the trial judge's determination that the guards are necessary and not unduly intrusive or violative of the defendant's due process rights. Id. at 107. Here, the record consists of statements by the trial court explaining why the jail personnel were there, a comment by the Commonwealth's Attorney that he didn't think the jury could even see them, and the defense counsel's objection. Appellant did not seek to make a further record of his objections or ask for a definitive ruling. Having reviewed the record and viewed the videotape and noting that Appellant was not shackled in any way, and the guards were not located closely to Appellant, we find no reversible error in the trial court's ruling.