SALT LAKE CITY—
Curtis Michael Allgier, 31, is an inmate at Utah State Prison who is infamous for his tattooed covered face -- tattoos that include swastikas and Aryan gang-related words and images. He allegedly shot and killed a corrections officer, Stephen Anderson, during an escape attempt in 2007. Prosecutors have been trying to push his case to a jury court over the past three years with much delay. However, before his court appearance, Allgier's lawyers want his tattoos covered by makeup to not distract the jury."You want the jury to focus on the facts and the evidence and witness testimony, not their appearance. You'd like to think justice is blind," said Greg Skordas, defense attorney and former prosecutor.
The defense are filing dozens of pre-trial motions, including one allowing them to use a makeup artist to cover Allgier's Aryan prison tattoos each morning before trial.
The District Attorney will seek the death penalty if Allgier is convicted.
Judge Paul Maughn will decide on whether Allgier can receive the makeover for court this month. Maughn also told Allgier's defense that even if he allows the makeup during trial, he will not do it for the penalty phase, when, if Allgier is found guilty, the jury will decide whether or not he should be executed.
Allgier is charged with capital murder in connection with the June 25, 2007 fatal shooting of Anderson, who had taken Allgier from the Utah State Prison to University Hospital for medical tests.
