Handgun grips used against you in court?

[FN1910]

Enough silly, theoretical speculation.

Any hard facts such as actual cases?

-Doc

I doubt that you will find any hard facts on these types of questions as the hard facts that everyone wants to know about are not the problem. For instance you have punisher grips on your gun and during the trial the gun in put into evidence. In summation and closing arguments the DA points out the grips that are on your gun to the jury. He doesn't have to make any declaration about them other than just making sure that the jury sees them and is aware of them. He doesn't have to make any comments during the trial about them just point out the decorations on the grips and let the jury take it from there. Since one of the last things the jury will be reminded of when they head to deliberations is the defendant was carrying around a BIG .45 caliber gun with evil looking grips, "Just looking for trouble". Or at least that is the impression that the jury is going to take with them whether or not a word is said about the grips in the trial. That is where the problem is and believe me I have been on enough juries to know something as small as that can play a big role in their decision.

For example I saw an attorney base at least half of the defense during a DUI trial on how neat the signature on the breathalyzer printout by the defendant was. Nothing was said during the trial about it but when closing arguments came it was sure pointed out. On a personal note that if I ever need a criminal attorney he is the one I want. Actually the signature wasn't anything special but a few of the members of the jury thought it was.

[S&WM&P40]

WOW, Three pages already LOL. I have never owned a 1911 and felt I would ask, as I have see threads after threads of grips that have been stated in this thread(Punisher,Skull etc..) I'm looking at getting some custom grips with my family's Irish coat of arms on them or some Pachmayer rosewood/rubber grips.

[Bighouse Doc]

Even to the point of witholding facts in the case. Ask Senator Ted Stevens' family.

DA: Why do you have a custom gun? Is it because you planned to use it someday and the victim was the first person you got to use it on?
You: No,I.... DA: So you've used it before on someone? No further questions.
Your Atrorney: Objection!
And the damage is already done with the jury unless the jurors understand trial by ambush.

Except any good attorney would get a mistrial due to an "Evidenciary Harpoon" as this trick is called.

-Doc

[G50AE]

Except any good attorney would get a mistrial due to an "Evidenciary Harpoon" as this trick is called.

-Doc

Not to mention that the Judge would instruct the jury to disreguard such "testimony".

[S&W645]

Except any good attorney would get a mistrial due to an "Evidenciary Harpoon" as this trick is called.

-Doc

That is true but it still happens. Unfortunately! Advanced Trial Handbook - Trial By Ambush and Motion In Limine

[S&W645]

Not to mention that the Judge would instruct the jury to disreguard such "testimony".

You can tell a jury anything but it doesn't mean that they will remove it from their minds. Just like a judge can tell a jury that you have to decide by what the law says according to the judge. And have to rule per their instructions. But juries have been known to disregard some laws if they feel they are unjust. And as I said, it can backfire on the one who does the ambush.

[S&W645]

WOW, Three pages already LOL. I have never owned a 1911 and felt I would ask, as I have see threads after threads of grips that have been stated in this thread(Punisher,Skull etc..) I'm looking at getting some custom grips with my family's Irish coat of arms on them or some Pachmayer rosewood/rubber grips.

I have the rubber Pachs on the 645. They are nice grips. Dad's Colt 1911 has a set of Hogue grips which are also good.