Tom DeLay, John Gotti and O.J.

To the equal delight of chop-licking opponents and the perpetually ravenous 24/7/365 news cycle (a/k/a "the media") it's getting closer to Tom DeLay's October 21st initial court appearance.

Will DeLay receive the automatic courtesy given to defendants not charged with crimes of violence who are represented by attorneys and not flight risks? Will he be allowed to walk into and out of the courthouse on his own steam? Or will he become the central character in a media event he can neither control nor avoid, the flash-snapping, video-taped "perp walk," a 'la handcuffs.

Nothing matches the ignominy of being led around in handcuffs, especially when you're only accused of a crime. The perp walk is a media contrivance that sidesteps trials to satisfy the media and instantly convict the "perp" in its court of public opinion. When have we seen a photo or video of a handcuffed person and said to ourselves, "He sure looks innocent."

Americans have a right to know but don't have a right to see. As I often mention in my media relations lectures, a camera lens is not a subpoena. Many in the media do not see it that way. To set the record straight, once a defendant is convicted I have no objection to relasing that person's image.

If DeLay, his supporters and attorneys are right and District Attorney Ronnie Earle is a crazed politician hell-bent to stop DeLay and his Republican machine, expect a perp walk. The heck with legal collegiality. Images of DeLay in those shiny bracelets will become B-roll and stills that the media will use, and reuse. Democrats, to their delight, will purchase and use the images against every Republican in every election across the country.

Will Tom DeLay join John Gotti, O.J. Simpson and others whose handcuffed images exist into posterity?

Mark Oct. 21st on your calendar and stay tuned.