Defendant Visibly Restrained in Wheelchair by Judge Gets Redo

The due process rights of a defendant convicted of murder in a Wisconsin state court were violated when the trial judge ordered him visibly restrained in the courtroom during closing arguments, the Seventh Circuit said.

Danny Wilber’s belligerence toward the trial judge and the criminal law process grew during his trial, the court said. When the trial started, he was shackled to the floor in a way that the jury couldn’t see.

As the trial proceeded, and Wilber’s attitude worsened, more deputies were added to the security detail and a stun belt was placed on his arm out of the ...