Spectator at Casey Trial Held in Contempt

Matthew Bartlett, a spectator at the State v. Casey Anthony trial, was arrested on Thursday in the courtroom when being held in contempt of court.

Bartlett, 28, was seen extending his middle fingers, which he said was towards Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, while court was in session and the attorney was at the podium. Bartlett was demanded to step forward to the podium himself and in live-stream footage was scolded by Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr.

Perry raised a sign that is posted outside of the courtroom, entailing a rule of the court. The text read, "Any gesture, facial expression or audible comments showing approval or disapproval during a court proceeding is absolutely prohibited," and Bartlett admits to reading it and hearing a deputy announcing the same rules aloud.

Bartlett mostly remained quiet, but continuously apologized to the judge, describing his actions as "stupid." "I'm truly sorry for doing this," said Bartlett. "This is something stupid and I'm not sure why I even did it ... I don't understand why I did it."

The spectator explained Ashton did not do or say anything to provoke him to raise his fingers at him, nor did he look down on the prosecutor. "I don't think lowly of Mr. Ashton," explained the delinquent.

Judge Perry asked the gentlemen if the jury was in the room at the time, which he replied, "Yes," and was also asked if he knew the consequences if a juror would have seen his action.

Bartlett, who works as a server at T.G.I. Fridays at the Mall of Millenia, is forced pay a $400 fine and $223 in court fees. Perry explained to the 28-year-old that taxpayers have spent a lot of money to have the trial.

"Your actions may have jeopardized or could jeopardized all of the work that the attorneys have done in this particular case," asserted Judge Perry. Bartlett said he understood.

Karen Levey, Chief of Due Process, received the still photograph of the individual partaking in the indecent behavior, which was sent to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

She explained why the regulations are crucial and why all onlookers are to abide by in the courthouse. "It is critical that quiet and order be maintained at all times to ensure the litigant's rights to a fair and impartial proceeding," said Levey. "There shall be no gestures or facial expressions suggesting approval or disapproval during the proceedings."

Bartlett, who says he has never been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving honesty or moral turpitude, was found guilty of criminal contempt and charged with a misdemeanor and was sentenced to the Orange County jail for six days.



(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)