The “Unkindest Cut Of All”: Florida Man To Go To Trial For Machete Attack With Facial Machete Tattoo

As a criminal defense attorney, I would consider Justin Arthur Allen Couch, 25, a bit of a challenge.  He will have to be tried on a machete attack with a large machete tattoo prominently featured on his face.

The victim said that Couch struck him in the arm and leg during an argument in Tarrytown, Florida.  The victim survived but reportedly has lost movement and use of his left hand.

The defense will often try to hide tattoos, particularly tattoos with violent language or themes.  If relevant, the prosecution can ask for an exhibiting of the tattoo.  We have seen past cases where tattoos presented such problems (here and here and here), including incriminating evidence.  This includes firearm defendants with firearm tattoos.

Indeed, in recent arson cases connected to the Floyd protests, two defendants were identified by their tattoos. 

Face tattoos are unlikely to be receive assistance from the court in allowing a shroud or covering.  The machete tattoo is one of the choices in life that comes back to haunt you in your machete attack case.

As Mark Antony said in Julius Caesar: “Judge, O you gods, … This was the most unkindest cut of all.”