Should An Individual Testifying In Uniform Be Accorded Greater Weightage by a Jury ?

In People v. Lloyd, a New York appellate court was similarly brief in addressing a defendant's claim that he was denied a fair trial when a robbery victim was allowed to testify wearing his Navy uniform. People v. Lloyd, 141 A.D.2d 671, 672, 529 N.Y.S.2d 562, 562, 530 N.Y.S.2d 8 (1988). The court agreed with the trial court's conclusion that jurors "would not automatically accord the complainant a greater measure of respect and trust merely because he was wearing a Navy uniform." Lloyd, 141 A.D.2d at 672, 529 N.Y.S.2d at 562. The court went on to state as follows: Moreover, the trial court instructed the jury in its charge that the complainant's testimony should not be accorded greater or lesser weight simply because he testified in uniform. Lloyd, 141 A.D.2d at 672, 529 N.Y.S.2d at 562.