Ex Parte Hammond

Carl Dennis Hammond was convicted of possession of phenmetrazine hydrochloride, a controlled substance, in violation of Ala. Code 1975, § 20-2-70. The Court of Criminal Appeals, 486 So.2d 522, affirmed his conviction, without opinion. We affirm.

Certiorari was granted in order to determine whether the absence of Hammond and his attorney from the courtroom during an inquiry concerning a confidential informant was in violation of his right to be present during every stage of his trial.

During the course of the trial, an inquiry was conducted by the trial judge outside the presence of the jury,…