Corpus Christi tattoo studio says it won't remove murder suspect's tats for free
By Eleanor Dearman
The Corpus Christi Caller-Times
A Corpus Christi tattoo parlor disputes claims made in court filings it would remove a murder suspect's tattoos for free.
Attorneys for Joseph Tejeda filed a document earlier this month in Nueces County stating a local tattoo shop will remove his face tattoos at no charge if the court OKs it. In an interview with the Caller-Times, the owner of the shop said that's not the case.
Tejeda's attorneys filed the motion requesting his facial tattoos be removed or covered up during trial. The document states "Pinnacle Tattoo ... agreed to offer their services pro bono to Mr. Tejeda and his legal team."
However, when reached by phone, Tina Lain, who heads up Pinnacle Laser Tattoo Removal, L.L.C., said that was "absolutely" not the case.
"I am absolutely not providing services to the individual, period," Lain said. "But I'm especially not, I never agreed to do anything pro bono."
Tejeda is charged with capital murder and other crimes related to the death of 21-year-old Breanna Wood. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Tejeda is one of seven charged with crimes in connection with Wood's death.
Tejeda's attorneys argue his risk of wrongful conviction will be greater if Tejeda is forced to go to trial with his face tattoos visible.
"Although jurors are only to consider the facts of the case, there is no doubt that a defendant's appearance will influence a juror's decision throughout the trial," the document states. "Although people get tattoos for a variety of reasons, they have an inherent effect on people's perception of a person with them.
"Most people harbor negative feelings about people with tattoos often associating those who have them with criminalized behavior."
According to the document, three of the four facial tattoos are gang related and the fourth is a "saint of death," which the document states "would come across as offensive and intimidating to a jury."
"To ensure Mr. Tejeda obtains a fair and reliable trial, the Court should allow the removal of Mr. Tejeda's facial tattoos," the document states.
If this is not allowed, Tejeda's attorneys request the tattoos be covered up with makeup.
Lain said she was not aware the motion naming her shop had been filed.
"I had one singular conversation with (an attorney for Tejeda)... where we did discuss tattooing, what some of the ill ramifications are in terms of visual conception, but no he completely took that and ran with it."
Law enforcement discovered Wood's remains in an abandoned trailer off state Highway, 666 near Robstown, in early January 2015.
The motion has not yet been heard before a judge. Attorneys for Tejeda have filed more than 40 different motions that are being heard incrementally before the court.
http://www.caller.com/story/news/loc...ree/373578002/
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