People v. Blachura

We granted leave in this case to consider whether defendant Blachura had the *724right to the presence of counsel during a citizens’ grand jury proceeding.1

The defendant testified before a citizens’ grand jury.2 As a result of his testimony, the grand jury indicted him on six counts of perjury; a petit jury later convicted him on five of the six counts. The trial judge granted the defendant’s motion for new trial on two counts and quashed the other three counts. The Court of Appeals reinstated the jury verdicts.3

During this general, investigatory proceeding, the defendant’s attorney was outside…