A Hollywood heiress accused of brutally murdering his wife and parents is being forced to appear in court half-naked, his lawyer has claimed.
Sam Haskell IV, the son of William Morris Agency executive vice president Samuel Haskell III, pleaded not guilty Friday in court in Los Angeles, shirtless.
Lawyer Joe Wymoats said Haskell, 35, had to take off his clothes because authorities believed he was at risk of self-harm, but called it “wild speculation.” .
“Mr. Haskell has not expressed any desire to harm himself.” Wymoats told Fox News..
However, the sheriff's office required Haskell to wear a self-harm prevention vest, he said.
Haskell appeared in court Friday wearing blue prison pants and his wrists chained in front of his waist.
Haskell's attorney claims that his medical condition prevents him from wearing a self-harm vest and that the sheriff's office “does not allow him to appear in court in a shirt, gown, or blanket.” .
“As a result, he had to appear in court shirtless. This led to rampant speculation in the media,” Wymoats said. “This situation is inhumane and creates an inaccurate image of Mr. Haskell.”
Haskell is suspected of cutting up his wife May Haskell, 37, and her parents Gooshan Li, 72, and Yanshan Wang, 64, before throwing the torsos into a trash can. was reportedly caught on a surveillance camera.
Haskell's in-laws had immigrated to the United States from China to be closer to Haskell's three sons, who are their grandchildren.
Haskell was arrested on Nov. 8 after a homeless man found his headless torso wrapped in plastic in a trash can.
Authorities later found nearby surveillance footage that allegedly showed Haskell dropping a heavy garbage bag the previous morning.
Police later found blood and other evidence in Haskell's home and arrested him, according to reports.
He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
If convicted of all three murder charges, Haskell IV could be sentenced to up to life in prison without parole.
Haskell's father represented notable stars such as George Clooney, Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg and even King Charles' brother Prince Edward.
His mother, actress Mary Donnelly Haskell, is known for her series of Christmas movies.
