Oh my gosh. Amazing that he was on trial and was able to get the deputy's gun. Don't they get brought into the courtroom in restraints anymore?
My understanding (and from my experience in a murder trial as a juror) is that the perp's restraints are taken off just before entering the courtroom....wouldn't want to prejudge his criminality, I suppose, is the reason.
I wondered that too. That deputy must not have been paying attention. It is considered a really bad thing, if you are an officer with a weapon, to have it taken from you.
And, how did this perp get out of the courthouse and onto the street without other police or deputies stopping him? I heard this was on the 8th floor. Did he run down the stairs; use the elevator, what?
But but but that would prejudice the jury!!!!!
This guy should have definitely been in restraints. It's a shame that this incident occurred. Unfortunately, it's usually the Judge who makes decisions on restraints being used in his/her courtroom. Complacency in procedures sets in too often and security is overlooked and becomes lax. All it takes is one time, and that one time happened today. I'm sure the procedures within the courtrooms in Georgia will be tightened immediately. It's too bad it took a serious shooting like this to do it.