MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The state Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether a judge violated a jail inmate’s rights when he ordered the prisoner to open his mouth and display his platinum teeth to support a detective’s testimony.
A jury convicted Ramon Gonzalez in 2008 of helping other inmates in the Milwaukee County Jail beat fellow prisoner Frederick Brown.
A detective testified during Gonzalez’s trial that Brown told him a man with platinum teeth was involved in the beating and the detective believed Gonzalez had platinum teeth. Judge William Brash ordered Gonzalez to show his teeth to the jury.
Gonzalez argued the order violated his constitutional right against self-incrimination. A state appeals court affirmed the order last year.
The Supreme Court announced Friday it would take the case.
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