Judge indicted after ordering attorney to be handcuffed inside jury box
Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez of Bexar County, Texas, faces one felony count of unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and one misdemeanor count of official oppression. (Photo from the Bexar County, Texas, County Court 13 website)
A dramatic courtroom dispute involving a defense attorney being handcuffed and confined to a jury box resulted in the indictment of a Texas judge last week.
Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez of Bexar County, Texas, faces one felony count of unlawful restraint by a judicial officer and one misdemeanor count of official oppression.
The conflict arose more than a year ago, according to KSAT, when defense attorney Elizabeth Russell appeared in Speedlin Gonzalez’s courtroom and requested time to confer with her client during a motion to revoke probation hearing.
According to coverage in the Dallas Express, the judge ordered Russell to be handcuffed and confined inside the jury box. The indictment accuses Speedlin Gonzalez of restricting Russell’s movements and interfering “substantially with her liberty,” according to KSAT and the Dallas Express.
The judge turned herself into the Bexar County Jail on Jan. 29.
See also:
Judge suspended without pay following alleged courtroom handcuffing and indictment
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