Judge orders man’s mouth to be taped shut during sentencing

An Ohio judge reportedly ordered a man’s mouth to be taped shut on Tuesday during his sentencing after he continued to speak despite repeated warnings to stop talking.

In footage captured from the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Judge John Russo can be seen telling Franklyn Williams, a convicted robber, to “shut your mouth” after he appeared to be talking to his attorneys, as first reported by a local CBS affiliate.

{mosads}”Mr. Williams, I’m the judge in the matter, shut your mouth and I will tell you when you can talk,” Russo said.

The judge eventually ordered the officers to tape the 32-year-old man’s mouth shut after he continued to talk. 

The officers reportedly placed a second piece of red tape over the man’s mouth after he began talking again.

The American Civil Liberties Union sharply condemned Williams’s treatment on Wednesday.

“We cannot regard this as normal. It is humiliating. It doesn’t just deprive this person of the opportunity to speak before his life is taken away, it steals his dignity. Everything about this is wrong,” said our staff attorney @elizabethbonham https://t.co/xsRRTkqRGg

— ACLU of Ohio (@acluohio) August 1, 2018

In the end, Williams, who was convicted of aggravated robbery, kidnapping, theft, misuse of credit cards and having weapons under a disability, was handed a 24-year prison sentence.  

Williams reportedly attempted to evade his trial late last year after cutting off his ankle bracelet during house arrest and fleeing to Nebraska. He later claimed to have no recollection of the event on account of him allegedly being hit over the head and losing his memory.