Morva judge enforces ruling on police uniforms
Posted Mar07, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Months ago at a motions hearing, the judge ruled in favor of a defense motion to prevent law enforcement officers sitting as spectators in the case from wearing their uniforms in the court. That show of support in a case where a law enforcement officer was killed could sway jurors, defense attorneys argued.
A sign was posted on the courtroom door on the first day of the trial that says: "NO UNIFORM OR BADGES IN COURT ROOM."
Today, that rule was enforced.
An officer from the Albemarle County Police Department, where Cpl. Eric Sutphin once worked, came to Abingdon to watch the trial today. He and Sutphin worked together, he said, and were close friends.
Out of respect, the officer said, he dressed in a full uniform. Because of that, he wasn't allowed in the courtroom.
Instead, the officer has been sitting alongside reporters and photographers in the media room, watching the trial via video feed.
No comments yet