Nixing Shock-Sleeve, Therapy Dog Options to Keep Murder Defendant Quiet, Judge Bans Him from Court
A Washington state court judge had a number of possible options for attempting to keep a boisterous defendant quiet during his upcoming murder trial.
Among the possibilities were a therapy dog or a sleeve through which a court officer could have administered a shock every time accused killer Isaiah Kalebu misbehaved, the Seattle Times reported over the weekend.
However, King County Superior Court Judge Michael Hayden opted simply to ban Kalebu from court for the remainder of the trial after another outburst today in which he cursed at the bench and his lawyers, reports another Seattle Times article.
Kalebu, who has a history of mental illness and is expected to present a diminished-capacity defense at trial, will be permitted to watch the proceedings from a remote location.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ordered to Wear ‘Spit Guard’ at Trial After Targeting Attorney, Defendant Looks Like Hannibal Lecter”
