State v. Easterling

¶1

Alexander, C.J.

Ricko Easterling seeks reversal of his conviction on one count of unlawful delivery of cocaine. He asserts that the trial court’s decision to close the courtroom at the request of his codefendant during pretrial motions on the day of their joint trial violated his constitu*171tional right to a public trial and/or his constitutional right to be present at all critical stages of his criminal proceeding. Although the State acknowledges the improper closure of the courtroom, it argues that the closed proceedings related to the codefendant’s, not Easterling’s, trial and, therefore,…