Court Opinion

ID: 9536216
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 06:56:22.836724+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:33:29.277533
License: Public Domain

McInturff, J.
(specially concurring)—The opinion of my learned colleague is well reasoned. But, I would go further and mandate that some temporary or permanent nontransparent material be placed around the table where the defendant is sitting. The obvious purpose would be to shield from the jury's view the shackled condition of a defendant.
*922Our entire system of justice is based upon the essential dignity of the human being. Another fundamental philosophy flowing through our concept of due process is the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Shackling the defendant under the circumstances of this case is reasonable; but to unnecessarily allow the jury to view the defendant's shackles offends my concept of human dignity and the presumption of innocence.