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Judge orders court staff to tape chatty armed robber's mouth shut

05 August, 2018, 01:53 | Author: Gregory Stephens
  • Cuyahoga County Judge John Russo ordered bailiffs to tape Franklyn Williams&rsquo mouth shut during his sentencing hearing

An Ohio judge, fed up with the disruptive behavior of a convict in his courtroom, ordered bailiffs to tape the man's mouth shut, leaving him pleading his case through red duct tape.

Cleveland man Franklyn Williams, 32, was convicted of three armed robberies during his trial, but clearly still had more to say on the matter as Judge John Russo tried to speak, video from FOX8 shows.

FOX 8 reports he kept speaking even after the tape was put on, and so a second piece was applied.

Williams spoke over the judge and his own attorneys despite multiple warnings to be quiet, forcing Judge Russo to order tape be placed over his mouth so the sentencing could proceed.

"You're trying to take my life away, judge, and you're not letting me tell you what's going on", the convict countered. Judge Russo sentenced him to 24 years in prison. He had cut off his ankle monitoring bracelet and skipped town in the middle of his December trial.

In court on Tuesday, prosecutors played his phone calls with family to prove that not only did Williams not lose his memory, he also researched on his cell the best ways to beat criminal charges.

"Here you go", the exasperated judge finally said. "My intent was never to silence Mr. Williams".


"Everybody has the opportunity to make a record with my court reporter but we can't do it at the same time, we can't do it yelling over each other".

After warning Williams multiple times, Judge John Russo chose to take action, reported Fox 8.

"The comment "quit talking" do you understand that?"

In the 1970 case IL v. Allen, the justices unanimously decided that defendants do not have an absolute right to even be present at their trial, let alone speak at it.

Williams had originally admitted the crimes and was sentenced to 14 years.

"Zip it until I give you a chance to talk", the judge said.

In any other circumstance, Williams would be held in contempt of court.

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