Driven to the handle, the judge ordered the defendant to shut his mouth: the story of one photo (4 photos)
No, these are not stills from a comedy film, but photographs. real trial in 1995. The defendant really they put a gag and taped his face so that he could not speak. But For what? What's going on here anyway? 
We are in the USA. August 15, 1995 in one of the California Courts are on trial to charge Christopher Lightsey with willful murder. The defendant is not the first time in a similar status. Your first term he got for child molestation while working as a teacher in primary school. After the first release, he completely went off the rails, addicted to drugs, arrested twice for possession.
On the morning of May 10, 1990, in the residential complex where he lived Lightsy, a 4-year-old girl is missing. Her body will be found 11 days later. traces of violence. A neighbor who has served time under a special article will become the main and, as it turns out, the only suspect, but the police do not find evidence. Lightsey will be released, but the crime is still considered undisclosed.
At the same time, it should be noted that in 2008 experts repeatedly examined the girl's clothes and were able to extract two genetic traces - DNA men and women. They checked Christopher Lightsey, who is in prison - this is not him. 
The same girl.
And in 1993, everyone in the same house in their apartment found the body of a 76-year-old pensioner - a well-known collector in the United States. Criminal inflicted 42 stab wounds on an old man with cancer. Stole collectible weapons and expensive coins.
But most importantly, at the crime scene, experts found DNA. This time, Christopher Lightsey couldn't get away - genetics confirmed that he was in the apartment. Everyone knew that the old recluse did not let strangers in at all, and with the former I didn't even know the inmate.
The suspect maintained his innocence, especially when A search did not find the stolen items. All prosecution prosecutor built around the results of genetic testing. Addict Molester could not explain how his footprints ended up at the crime scene.
During the trial, Christopher Lightsey, dressed in orange robes of a potential "suicide bomber", behaved defiantly, protesting against an unjust, in his opinion, trial. insulted the judge and jurors, interrupted the prosecutor, at some point even began to rush at his lawyer, believing that the state-appointed defense counsel deliberately "drowns" his client. 
The process took seven days. Requirements to behave correctly no action was taken. At first, the judge simply removed the violent defendant from hall, but one day, brought to the handle, he simply ordered the bailiffs shut up Christopher Lightsey. Literally.
Hands in handcuffs behind the back, gag and tape. The defendant could no longer interfere with the process. Although he tried his best.
The verdict of the court was unequivocal - the death penalty. IN THE USA the execution of the sentence takes many years, it is required to go through all the judicial instances. Christopher Lightsey, 64, is still in jail suicide bombers - for 28 years. His sentence has long been confirmed in the Supreme court, but the execution is constantly postponed. 
During one appeal, 2015. Photo from open sources
All this time he continued to insist on his innocence. Most likely he will not be executed. Recently there have been doubts about capacity of the defendant, he is now being examined by doctors. If the diagnosis "paranoia" is confirmed, then he will be sent for treatment.
