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Originally Posted by Solecismic
Nichols was in street clothes and unshackled. Just because that might prejudice a jury.
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I'm probably as defendant-friendly a non-criminal as there is on this board, but even I am shocked by this if it is true.
If a guy is dangerous enough that you need an armed deputy to guard him, then he is dangerous enough to handcuff. I agree that a curative instruction to the jury ("Everyone accused of a violent crime is required to be handcuffed; do not read anything into the appearance of this defendant.") would have been enough.