Can a Prisoner Having a History of Violence Be Shackled Making Sure That the Jury Cannot See the Shackles ?

In Commonwealth v. Jasper, 531 Pa. 1, 610 A.2d 949 (1992), before the entrance of the jury, the defendant was brought into the courtroom with leg shackles. His shackled legs were under the table during the proceedings when the jury was in the courtroom. The judge observed that the jury could not see the shackles and they were necessary because of the defendant's record as a fugitive and his prior record for violence. The judge's decision was upheld on appeal. Also, in Commonwealth v. Brown, 538 Pa. 410, 648 A.2d 1177 (1994) the defendant was shackled during the penalty phase, after having been convicted of murder. The trial judge ensured that the jury could not see the defendant's feet while he was seated at a table. The judge's decision was upheld on appeal.