Romero v. State

Frank Romero appeals his convictions for two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of lewd or lascivious conduct. We affirm as to all issues raised on appeal, but write to address the trial judge’s handling of the jury’s request for trial transcripts.

After beginning deliberations, the jury asked a series of questions, one of which was whether transcripts of the testimony were available.1 The prosecutor and the court responded that transcripts were not available. Although defense counsel suggested that the testimony could be read back, when the trial judge summarized his…