Florida man elbows defense attorney in the face at double murder sentencing: report
A convicted double murderer assaulted his own defense attorney in court at a sentencing hearing, reported Law & Crime on Monday.
"It’s just more belligerent behavior from defendant Joseph Zieler, 61," reported Alberto Luperon. "He had previously acted out in court in Lee County, Florida, while on trial for murdering and sexually assaulting Robin Cornell, 11, and her babysitter, Lisa Story, 32. He flipped off a court camera, insulted the child’s mother, and went so off the rails during testimony that the judge had to clear jurors out of the room at one point."
According to the report, the object of his anger this time was Kevin Shirley, his defense lawyer. "The chained-up Zieler appeared to say something to Shirley, who leaned over as if to listen better. Then out of nowhere, Zieler struck him in the head," said the report. "Bailiffs quickly grappled the defendant to the ground. Shirley appeared to take it all in stride. As he took a seat at the table, he said he was fine."
Speaking to Law & Crime, Shirley said he was safe and, “the bailiffs did their job, and they took him right down,” adding that “I used to box" and had taken much worse hits.
He joked, “I feel cheated. I didn’t get my counterpunch in.”
Zieler was sentenced to death for his crimes, with Judge Robert Branning following a 10-2 recommendation from the jury. While the Supreme Court has held that non-unanimous juries are unconstitutional for serious criminal convictions, they are not for sentencing recommendations.
Watch the footage at this link.
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