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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The Vox Box

Defendant’s Mouth Taped Shut in Court

In Pocatello, Idaho, a judge ordered a defendant's mouth taped shut after he lost patience with the man's interruptions.

The move was ordered by 6th District Judge Peter D. McDermott during a probation violation hearing for Nicklas Frasure, 23, who was convicted of felony theft in 2008. The judge retained jurisdiction for sentencing depending on Frasure's response to treatment, where Frasure had violated his probation, not taking his prescribed medication at his state mental hospital in Blackfoot.

Frasure interrupted with verbal outbursts and unusual behavior. After more outbursts, McDermott told bailiffs to silence him.

The bailiffs then found a roll of duct tape, tore off a piece, and put it over Frasure's mouth, according to the Idaho State Journal.

What do you think? Isn't this freaking hilarious?



In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.