Moore v. State

NORTHCUTT, Judge.

Jamal Moore’s jury trial for resisting an officer without violence and knowingly driving while license suspended was tainted when the trial court violated his right to a public trial. Therefore, we reverse his convictions and remand for a new trial.

Apparently in the interests of efficiency, the trial court endeavored to have three juries selected during the same session of court, and summoned a venire large enough to empanel all three. During voir dire in Moore’s case, the court sua sponte ordered all spectators out of the courtroom. Defense counsel objected and asked that…