Calmer conduct in court is ‘polar opposite’ of jail, witness says

As he got dressed for court on the morning of May 13, Christopher Calmer put his hands on his hips and twisted from side to side.

He walked around in his cell, taking care to polish his shoes and tie the knot of his neck tie.

The previous day, he’d moaned and writhed in pain during a pretrial hearing and was taken away from the Monroe County Courthouse in an ambulance. He lay on a gurney as the proceedings continued.

After arriving in court May 13, Calmer sat in a recliner provided by the county as an accommodation for his complaints of pain.

Jurors watched a series of videos of Calmer in his jail cell Wednesday as part of a trial to determine if Calmer is competent to stand trial for the 2014 fatal shooting of Monroe County deputy Michael Norris. He could face the death penalty if convicted at a trial set for next year.

The group of Upson County residents is set to begin deliberating Calmer’s competency Thursday morning.

In closing arguments Wednesday, the prosecution argued that Calmer is fit to stand trial, that he can communicate with his lawyers and understand the court proceedings.

Calmer’s defense team said Calmer needs consistent treatment for his bevy of medical problems before he will be competent.

Calmer, who has suffered from neck and back pain for years, sat with his head down on the defense table during nearly all of Wednesday’s court proceedings.

A state forensic psychologist testified Wednesday afternoon that despite Calmer’s claims that he’s died and is in a form of purgatory, she believes he’s competent.

The psychologist, Darcy Shores, said Calmer gave “absurd responses” when she asked him direct questions during her June 13 evaluation, but when asked indirectly, he was able to give intelligent answers that showed he understands the legal process and the charges he faces.

Earlier in the day, witnesses from the Crisp County jail, where Calmer has been held since February 2015, testified that they’ve never seen Calmer hallucinate or have trouble communicating.

A nurse and doctor who have treated Calmer at the jail said Calmer hasn’t complained of his medication making him sleepy or confused.

Although he’s complained of pain in his neck, back and teeth, he’s been prescribed medication, they said.

Calmer had 23 teeth removed in January, the nurse testified.

Lt. John Thompson, assistant jail administrator, said Calmer has been a “model inmate.”

He said he’s talked with Calmer at least weekly and hasn’t seen the inmate having trouble moving around. On one occasion, he said he saw Calmer lying on the ground in his cell reading a book.

Asked by a prosecutor if Calmer acts differently at the jail than he has in court, Thompson responded, “It’s a polar opposite.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Calmer conduct in court is ‘polar opposite’ of jail, witness says."