"Would you have let the family stand and make a comment"
I am sure some of these family members gave testimony in favor of the victim which is 500% more effective on a jury than a silly button. That is why there are 12 members. There are all sorts of influences and the jury must sort it out. Testimony by a family member MUST be taken as a biased opinion just as any silly button. Listening to the Mother crying in tears would have the most effect on a jury. Maybe we should stop biased testimony so it won't affect the jury........yeah right.
Yes, but they are subject to cross-examination if they make comments under oath.
If we're going to allow buttons, are there size limits? What about signs and banners? T-shirts and hats? Hell, we might as well make it look like a football game.