Talk about a Gag Order: Judge Orders Defendant's Mouth Taped Shut

Photo by the mad LOL ScientistDuring a probation violation hearing, Idaho Judge Peter D. McDermott took extreme measures after losing patience with the defendant, whose behavior was described as "strange and erratic;" and told court officials to tape Nicklas Frasure's mouth shut with duct tape.

Frasure, who was recently released from a state mental hospital in Blackfoot, Idaho, after being sentenced there following a felony theft conviction, had apparently not been taking his medication and was having severe mood swings. During the proceedings, the defendant interrupted many times and ignored the judge's orders to stop. Finally, McDermott instructed the bailiffs to apply a piece of duct tape over his mouth. Talk about a gag order.