Color him dead

The latest news in the John Couey trial. He is being prosecuted for the 2005 murder of Jessica Lunsford.

MIAMI -- The convicted sex offender charged with kidnapping, raping and killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford can keep coloring in children's books in court, a judge ruled Monday, despite objections from prosecutors who say the drawing could influence the jury pool.

John Evander Couey, 48, has spent much of his time working in coloring books during jury selection for his first-degree murder trial. Prosecutors argued that could influence potential jurors because Couey's lawyers say he suffers from mental illness and retardation.

Prosecutor Rick Ridgway asked Citrus County Circuit Judge Richard Howard to prohibit Couey from ``having other than a pad and a pencil like the rest of us.

``He's done 40 to 50 drawings and this indicates abnormal behavior and what he does could influence the jury because the defense has raised the issue of mental retardation,'' Ridgway said.

But the judge declined to stop Couey.

``He's not acted up. The guards have seen him doing this all the time. The man is on trial for his life. If this calms him down, the coloring is not troublesome,'' he said in ruling.

I think Judge Howard made the right ruling. Unless I'm mistaken, coloring isn't covered anywhere in the state or US constitution.

Some how I wouldn't be surprised if Couey is trying to act crazy in order to get off. It more than likely won't work.

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