Commonwealth v. Teixeira

After a jury trial, the defendant was convicted of assault and battery on a correction officer. On appeal, he claims that he was deprived of a fair trial with an impartial jury because the judge ruled that he was to remain handcuffed and his legs shackled during his trial, and that it was unfair to similarly restrain a defense witness. In addition, he claims that witnesses' use of the term "assault" to describe the incident created a substantial risk of a miscarriage of justice. We affirm.

The occurrence that gave rise to the charge took place in the Plymouth County house of correction where…