15th Judicial District Court Judge Marilyn Castle recently ordered a defendant’s mouth taped shut by a bailiff for an unwanted outburst during his sentencing. Michael C. Duhon, who had been found guilty of theft over $25,000 and money laundering, was appearing before Judge Castle during a July 18th sentencing hearing. A jury had found him guilty in February for the 2015 crimes.
During the hearing, Castle instructed Duhon not to interject with his own motions, according to court minutes. Duhon was represented in court by Aaron Adams, a Lafayette-based attorney. Castle told Duhon to remain quiet through the rest of the hearing. According to court records, Castle ordered a bailiff to tape Duhon’s mouth shut.
“…due to the defendant’s consistent interruption of (the) court proceeding and multiple instructions from the court to remain silent,” according to court minutes.
Duhon’s attorney then objected asking that he be removed from the courtroom instead. Castle had the bailiff remove the tape and ordered Duhon to remain silent, court minutes show. It is unclear how long Dunon’s mouth was taped.
Duhon was sentenced to serve two concurrent sentences of 15 years of hard labor with four years of credit for time served. The restitution was set at $331,500. He also is to be transferred to a facility where he can receive mental health treatment.
