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May 24, 2005
Murderer's Sentence Overturned Because, Post-Conviction, He Was Forced To Wear Shackles
Top story at the Wardrobe Door.
Consider: A jury has just decided a man is guilty of the worst crime possible-- taking another human life.
Now, during sentencing, he's forced to wear shackles, which is horrible, you know, because no convicted criminal has ever gotten violent when facing possible life in prison.
7-2 the Supreme Court overturned his sentence, explaining to us all (Shut up, they explained) that the fact that the man was in shackles might give the jury that just convicted him the false impression that this convicted murderer was a threat to the community.
Wherever would they get such an idea? From the shackles? Or the fact they just decided that, based on proof beyond a reasonable doubt, he had taken a human life without justification or excuse?
I'm going to try to bring this up on today's show. Briefly, just as an example of the mentality in the judiciary we're trying to break.