Judge: Curtis Michael Allgier can be handcuffed in front

SALT LAKE CITY — Third District Judge Paul Maughan ruled Friday that Curtis Michael Allgier, who is charged with capital murder, can wear handcuffs that position his hands in front of his body during all court hearings until his trial.

Allgier's attorneys had asked the court to permit Allgier to be "double-cuffed," or have two sets of handcuffs linked together in back, to give more room and ease strain on Allgier's shoulders.

A doctor diagnosed Allgier with ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritis-type ailment that causes inflammation and pain. In Allgier's case, it hurts his shoulders and spine, and the pain becomes more acute when he is handcuffed with his hands in back with a single pair of cuffs

Prosecutors, however, did not think a change in the procedures used by law enforcement officials was necessary and that Allgier could pose a flight risk.

The judge left the issue of how Allgier is restrained during transportation from jail to the Matheson Courthouse up to the Salt Lake County Sheriff.

Allgier, 30, is charged with aggravated murder and other crimes in connection with the shooting death of corrections officer Stephen Anderson, who took Allgier to a hospital for medical tests in 2007. Allgier is accused of stealing the officer's gun and fatally shooting him.

Maughan also set two scheduling conferences in Allgier's case, one for Sept. 1 and the other for Nov. 3.

— Linda Thomson