8.13.2007
Wear What You Like At Your Trial
In what must be very good news for the Laurie Cabots of this world, a judge has ruled that an accused Satanist can dress in full ritual garb while defending himself in court.
"Lazaro Galindo is an accused murderer, an amateur attorney and a Satanist. On Monday, he's expected to don special Satanic garb in a Miami-Dade courtroom as he picks a jury for his murder trial. He'll defend himself and has insisted that the First Amendment gives him the right to wear an all-black outfit, a cap he says is related to his religion and special Satanic jewelry. Circuit Judge Peter Adrien granted Galindo's request to wear the special outfit. Galindo apparently is not concerned that the Satanic garb might put off jurors."
While I don't like Galindo's chances much (representing yourself and wearing Satanic gear might be the ultimate double-whammy of prejudicing a jury against your claims), the judge noted that Galindo cited cases in which Muslim adherents were allowed traditional dress in court, and that there was no legal reason to deny the request.
"Walker said he did not object to the request, because Galindo cited recent decisions that have allowed Islam into U.S. courtrooms for Muslim faithful, and he didn't want to set up a circumstance that could result in grounds for an appeal if Galindo is convicted. "His argument was that if Muslims have a constitutional right for their religious beliefs to be recognized by the government, then he does," Walker told WND. Walker told WND it was the first time he's ever heard that a defendant will be allowed to wear satanic garb, and carry the satanic bible, during a murder trial."
Now that this legal right has been established by Muslims, and broadened by a Satanist, it should only be a matter of time before a modern Pagan decides to wear ritual dress to a trial. But I suppose it goes without saying that equal treatment by a judge won't necessarily translate into equal treatment by a jury. Something to consider before you wear your Druid's robes, or Witches' cloak to trial.
ADDENDUM: It looks like we won't get to see any hot ritualistic Satanic law action:
"Lazaro Galindo -- accused murderer, amateur attorney and until Monday a proclaimed Satanist -- told a Miami-Dade Circuit judge Monday that he recently found God and was abandoning his plan to don special Satanic garb in court ... Just before he began picking a jury Monday morning in his murder trial, Galindo told the court: 'I've converted myself over to God. I converted myself to God not too long ago.'"
What a sudden change of heart! I'm sure his murder trial had nothing to do with it.
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