Dang

Chanh Minh Dang was convicted by jury verdict of 16 counts, including residential burglary, false imprisonment, assault with a firearm or deadly weapon, and dissuading a witness by force or threat. In the published portion of this opinion, we reject appellant’s argument that the trial court erred in permitting his former attorney to testify about appellant’s threats against witnesses. In the remainder of our discussion we reject his challenges to shackling during trial and to his sentence. We find no reversible error and affirm the judgment of conviction.

Factual and Procedural Summary

Appellant’s girlfriend was Loan (Jennifer) Nguyen. In September 1998, Ms. Nguyen arranged to move in with the Huynh family because appellant was physically abusing her. On September 1, 1998, Ms. Nguyen arrived at the Huynh home with all her possessions, including items given her by appellant. Mr. and Mrs. Huynh and their five children lived in the home. Appellant had known Mr. Huynh for eight or nine years.

At 10:00 a.m. on the morning of September 1, 1998, appellant went to the Huynh home and entered without permission. He asked Ms. Nguyen to return rings and purses he had given her. At…