05.21.07
Trial Rule 1: Don’t Punch Jurors
Richard Glawson has been on trial in Boston for a slew of charges stemming from an alleged 2001 “spree” that included shooting a police officer in the hand, shooting a dog, breaking into a home, and carjacking a couple of people at an upscale mall. Now, I have not seen or been following the trial, but I am guessing he didn’t think his chances for a “not guilty” were very good…as on Friday he PUNCHED a juror as the panel exited the courtroom to begin deliberations. The man was apparently elderly and fell to the floor (though he wasn’t hurt).
To top it off, today the judge denied his lawyer’s request for a mistrial, reasoning that he “should not be allowed to benefit from his own disruptive behavior.”
Yeah, I’m guessing any chance he had for a “not guilty” is now completely gone. Should make for an interesting issue on appeal…
James said,
May 24, 2007 at 12:42 pm
You should update to note that the judge eventually reversed himself and declared a mistrial. Good for him for initially resisting that decision, though– defendants shouldn’t be allowed to benefit by this kind of BS. No offense to your public defender sensibilities.