Schavey v. Roylston

The petitioners have requested this court, via these mandamus proceedings, to direct the respondent judge, sitting as a committing magistrate, to exercise his discretion to exclude spectators from the courtroom during a preliminary hearing being conducted to determine whether the petitioners should be held to answer certain criminal charges. The charges stem from alleged conduct of the petitioners involving a 16-year-old female, previously adjudicated a delinquent child. Her testimony is part of the State’s case.

The sole question is whether the modification of Rule 27, 1 Rules of Criminal…