Brister v. State

Appellant was indicted and tried for murder, and convicted of manslaughter. He contends that his constitutional right to be present during every material and important step in his trial was denied in that he was not present when the judge and the attorneys retired to an anteroom to challenge the jurors.

Upon the case being called, the parties announced ready for trial, and appellant, who was on bond, was called forward and took his seat within the bar in a chair designated by his counsel. Appellant kept his seat in the presence of the court and jury while the entire special venire was examined…