In a published story in the Houston Chronicle, the lawyer defending Juan Quintero was held in contempt for withholding documents that were required to be supplies to the prosecution.
Below is the clip from the Chronicle:
A lawyer defending Juan Leonardo Quintero in his death-penalty trial was held in contempt of court this morning for withholding documents to which prosecutors said they were entitled under the rules of evidence.
State District Judge Joan Campbell held Danalynn Recer in contempt during an early-morning hearing outside the presence of the jury, according to court documents.
Campbell is expected to decide what punishment, if any, Recer should receive after the trial concludes.
The judge and Recer declined to comment, as did prosecutor Lyn McClellan.
David Lane, an attorney assisting Recer, said she forgot a doctor's report at her office this morning, delaying the court about 10 minutes while it was faxed over.
The documents involved the work of a doctor who testified today, bolstering assertions by a psychologist who told jurors Monday that Quintero was insane during the few minutes when he shot a Houston police officer in 2006.
Prosecutors considered the report important for them to use during cross-examination of the doctor, D.L. Creson.
The defense team is trying to show that Quintero is not guilty of capital murder by reason of insanity.
Antonio Puente said Monday he believes the 34-year-old defendant meets the legal definition of "insane."
Quintero has acknowledged in a videotaped statement to police that he shot Officer Rodney Johnson after being arrested in September 2006.
The trial is in its second week. Prosecutors plan to seek a death sentence if Quintero is convicted.
Quintero's attorneys have said he suffered brain damage in a childhood fall and that he shot Johnson because he perceived that the officer was a threat.
Johnson was shot seven times as he filled out paperwork in the front seat of his patrol car. Quintero was handcuffed and locked in the back seat.
Investigators have said Johnson searched Quintero, but overlooked the gun he had tucked in his waistband, after arresting him for not having a driver's license.
They are trying to portray this guy as insane. He is not insane, HE IS CRAZY!!! Execute him as soon as possible.
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein
No comments:
Post a Comment