State v. Ramon G. Gonzalez

¶ 1. The question we consider in this case is whether Ramon Gonzalez's constitutional right not to be a witness against himself was violated when the court, over defense objection, asked in front of the jury that Gonzalez "display his teeth," and Gonzalez complied. Gonzalez argues that he was compelled to be a witness against himself at trial because the teeth, which were platinum, were more than physical evidence — they conveyed a message to the jury because they give him a "fierce" appearance. A witness had testified that the victim had identified one of his attackers as a fellow inmate…