Could Courtroom Outburst Impact Trial's Outcome?

June 30 - Many people are wondering whether a convicted killer's courtroom outburst snaps will affect the sentencing phase of his trial. Gregory Moore is convicted of capital murder in the death of Harvey County Sheriff's Deputy Kurt Ford.

The jury was hearing evidence so they can decide whether Moore should the death penalty or life in prison. Moore's outburst came as a psychiatrist answered questions about Moore's violent past. He was tasered in plain view of the jury.

Jurors will likely have a tough time getting the outburst out of their mind, but some local attorneys say it will likely have little impact on their decision. Attorney Dan Monnat believes it's unlikely that the unusual event will lead to a mistrial. Monnat says if a judge declared a mistrial every time there was an outburst, suspects could simply cause a commotion and get to do the whole thing over again.

Defense attorneys the request for a mistrial is certainly in order. Attorney Warner Eisenbise says what will likely happen. Eisenbise says the jurors will return and probably receive instruction and questioning from the judge. He says the judge will determine whether the incident caused any material damage to the result of the sentencing phase.

The judge will make a decision on what to do on Wednesday. That's when jurors are set to return to the courtroom to continue the sentencing phase of Moore's trial.