×
You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.
Texas Prisoner's Rights Not Violated by Not Allowing Him to Represent Himself at Trial for Tattooing
Texas Prisoner's Rights Not Violated by Not Allowing Him to Represent
Himself at Trial for Tattooing Fellow Prisoner
On March 3, 2002, Timothy Worstell, a Texas State prisoner, forcibly
tattooed the words child rapist on another prisoner's forehead. He was
charged with aggravated assault in Karnes County, Texas district court.
His eve-of-trial motion to represent himself was denied, and he was
convicted and sentenced to three years in prison with a $10,000 fine.
Worstell appealed.
On appeal, the Court of Appeals of Texas, 4th District, San Antonio (4th
Dist.) held that Worstell's constitutional right to defend himself was not
violated because he was trying to disrupt the trial by waiting until the
last minute to assert it. The appellate court also held that the permanent
disfigurement caused by the tattoo was a proper basis for Worstell's
aggravated assault conviction. Thus, the trial court was affirmed. See:
Worstell v. Texas (Tex.App.-San Antonio, 2005) (2005 WL 708427).
Himself at Trial for Tattooing Fellow Prisoner
On March 3, 2002, Timothy Worstell, a Texas State prisoner, forcibly
tattooed the words child rapist on another prisoner's forehead. He was
charged with aggravated assault in Karnes County, Texas district court.
His eve-of-trial motion to represent himself was denied, and he was
convicted and sentenced to three years in prison with a $10,000 fine.
Worstell appealed.
On appeal, the Court of Appeals of Texas, 4th District, San Antonio (4th
Dist.) held that Worstell's constitutional right to defend himself was not
violated because he was trying to disrupt the trial by waiting until the
last minute to assert it. The appellate court also held that the permanent
disfigurement caused by the tattoo was a proper basis for Worstell's
aggravated assault conviction. Thus, the trial court was affirmed. See:
Worstell v. Texas (Tex.App.-San Antonio, 2005) (2005 WL 708427).
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
Related legal case
Worstell v. Texas
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Cite | (Tex.App.-San Antonio, 2005) (2005 WL 708427) |
| Level | State Court of Appeals |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 0 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |