Lawyer of Sam Haskell accused of killing wife and her parents, claim he is being ‘dehumanized’ by being forced to show up shirtless in court
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sam Haskell IV, the Hollywood heir who allegedly chopped up his wife and her parents and dumped a torso in a dumpster, pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder on Friday, 12 January.
His lawyers, however, say he is being treated unfairly and inhumanely by the authorities by forcing him to appear shirtless in the courtroom.
Sam Haskell's shirtless appearance sparks media frenzy
Haskell, 35, appeared in a Los Angeles courthouse without a shirt for the second time, drawing the attention of news photographers and reporters.
Before that he appeared for his arraignment on December 8, 2023, shirtless.
His defense attorney, Joe Weimortz, said the judge denied his request to cover him up with a shirt, gown, or blanket.
He said Haskell’s shirt was taken away because of concerns over a risk of self-harm, which he called “wild speculation," Fox News reported
“This situation is dehumanizing and creates an inaccurate image of Mr. Haskell,” Weimortz said in an email to Fox News Digital after the arraignment.
“Mr Haskell has not indicated he wants to harm himself.”
Sam Haskell's anti-self-harm vest, is not an option due to medical condition
Weimortz said the sheriff’s department wanted Haskell to wear an anti-self-harm vest, but he had a pre-existing medical condition that prevented him from doing so. He did not specify what the condition was.
He said the sheriff’s office “will not allow him to appear with a shirt, gown or blanket."
“The result is he has to appear in court naked from the waist up. This has led to rampant speculation in the media. This situation is dehumanizing and creates an inaccurate image of Mr Haskell,” he said.
Gruesome details of Sam Haskell's alleged crime
Sam Haskell IV, whose father, Sam Haskell III, was worldwide head of television for William Morris and represented clients including Dolly Parton, George Clooney, and Prince Edward before his retirement 20 years ago is accused of gruesome crimes.
Haskell is accused of killing and chopping his wife, Mei Haskell, 37, and her parents, Goashan Li, 72, and Yanxiang Wang, 64, who moved to the US from China to be near their grandchildren, the Haskells’ three sons.
Police say he dismembered their bodies and disposed of them in various locations.
A homeless person found a headless torso wrapped in plastic in a dumpster in November, leading to Haskell’s arrest. The discovery created ripples on the internet too.
Surveillance video allegedly showed him dropping off a heavy garbage bag the morning before.
Haskell appeared calm and composed in court, speaking only to say “Yes, your honor,” when asked if he understood the proceedings. He wore blue jail pants and had his wrists chained in front of his waist.
He glanced around the room, occasionally looking up at the ceiling or raising his eyebrows. He faces life in prison without parole if convicted.
