State v. Bates

Defendant appeals a judgment of conviction for supplying contraband. ORS 162.185. His sole assignment of error asserts that, by requiring him to wear a “stun belt,” the trial court violated his constitutional right to be free from physical restraints during his trial. We affirm.

The incident from which the charge of supplying contraband arose occurred while defendant was serving two life sentences at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Concerned about courtroom security, the trial court gave defendant the option of wearing either shackles or a stun belt while in the court room. Defendant refused to…