Deck v. Missouri

544 U.S. 622 (2005)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Deck (D) robbed, shot, and killed an elderly couple. The State of Missouri (P) tried D for the murders and the robbery. At trial, state authorities required D to wear leg braces that apparently were not visible to the jury. D was convicted and sentenced to death. The State Supreme Court upheld D's conviction but set aside the sentence. The State then held a new sentencing proceeding. D was shackled with leg irons, handcuffs, and a belly chain. Before the jury voir dire began, D's counsel objected to the shackles. The objection was overruled. D's counsel renewed the objection. The objection was again overruled, the court stating that D 'has been convicted and will remain in leg irons and a belly chain.' After the voir dire, D's counsel once again objected, moving to strike the jury panel 'because of the fact that D is shackled in front of the jury and makes them think that he is ... violent today.' The objection was again overruled, the court stating that his 'being shackled takes any fear out of their minds.' D was again sentenced to death. The Missouri Supreme Court rejected D's claims, writing that there was 'no record of the extent of the jury's awareness of the restraints'; there was no 'claim that the restraints impeded' D 'from participating in the proceedings'; and there was 'evidence' of 'a risk' that D 'might flee in that he was a repeat offender' who may have 'killed his two victims to avoid being returned to custody.' D 'has not demonstrated that the outcome of his trial was prejudiced... . Neither being viewed in shackles by the venire panel prior to trial, nor being viewed while restrained throughout the entire trial, alone, is proof of prejudice.' The Supreme Court granted certiorari to review D's claim that his shackling violated the Federal Constitution.