While he was on trial for strangling a 14 year old girl, the Chautauqua County Court required Buchanan to wear a stun belt under his clothes.
Buchanan repeatedly objected to wearing the device because he found it uncomfortable, distracting, and noticeable to the jury. He also claimed that he had been deprived of his constitutional entitlement to a fair trial.
Although Buchanan wasn't disruptive while in the courtroom, the judge directed that the belt be worn because that was the court's "blanket policy" and no medical reason for its removal had been given.
After Buchanan was convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, he appealed to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, which affirmed the conviction.
But when the case reached our state's highest court, although it dodged the constitutional issues raised, it found that "as a matter of New York law," a criminal defendant can't be compelled to wear a stun belt without an appropriate "inquiry" and "a specifically identified security reason."
Since the appropriate procedure wasn't followed in this case, the matter was sent back for a new trial.
Shocking?
To view a copy of the Court of Appeals's decision, please use this link: People v. Buchanan