Defendant jailed after 'I defy you Satan' comment to judge during contempt hearing
A former professional boxer whose sanity is at issue in an ongoing Indiana attempted rape trial has already been sentenced to a 10-day jail term for his remarks to jurors and the judge.
Santiago Valdez, 59, has been diagnosed as schizophrenic but was determined to be competent to stand trial in the Muncie case. He spoke in tongues and made religious comments such as “Hallelujah!” during the first day of testimony Tuesday, which did not go over well with the judge, reports the Muncie Star Press. An earlier Star Press article provides additional details.
When Valdez, who at one point told jurors not to be afraid of the “Holy Spirit in me,” continued his commentary after warnings from the bench, Delaware Circuit Judge Kimberly Dowling called a recess, sent the jury out of the courtroom and held a contempt hearing.
“Holy Ghost or no Holy Ghost, I defy you, Satan,” said Valdez during the hearing, in a comment apparently directed at the judge. She found him guilty of contempt and sentenced him to 10 days in jail.
It isn’t clear from news coverage whether Valdez was already jailed prior to trial and when he will serve the 10-day sentence.
