Judge: Ignore what you see

[George K]

The lawyer with the ankle bracelet:

Attorney William McCall Calhoun Jr. questioned potential jurors Monday for his client’s pending murder trial, probing for biases that could affect his chances.

At one point during the proceeding, a court-ordered ankle monitor could be seen poking from beneath the pantleg of Calhoun’s slate-blue suit.

Later, Sumter County Superior Court Judge Jimmie Brown told the jurors not to do any of their own research about the case.

“Don’t Google any of the attorneys,” he said.

Calhoun, 58, is one of the more than 725 people criminally charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, although he is believed to be the only practicing criminal defense attorney. He faces five federal charges related to the breaching of the Capitol. The most serious is obstructing an official proceeding, a felony that carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

[Mik]

It's a proper instruction. I would hope a jury would be able to separate the two situations. Still, if I were his client, I would have second thoughts about using him for a murder trial.

[George K]

@mik said in Judge: Ignore what you see:

It's a proper instruction.

Indeed.

I would hope a jury would be able to separate the two situations.

Yep, but I doubt it. The surest way to get someone to do something is to say "Don't do it!"

Still, if I were his client, I would have second thoughts about using him for a murder trial.

Public defender. I wonder how much choice he had.

[Doctor Phibes]

@george-k said in Judge: Ignore what you see:

Public defender.

No wonder he hates the government so much.

[Jolly]

The ankle bracelet should have never been allowed in the courtroom.