State v. Meade

The trial court concluded, and the state contends, that by the time Meade absented himself from the courtroom, Meade’s trial had already commenced for purposes of Crim.R. 43(A), and, accordingly, it was proper to proceed with Meade’s trial in his absence. We disagree.

Crim.R. 43(A) provides:

“Defendant’s Presence. The defendant shall be present at the arraignment and every stage of the trial, including the impaneling of the jury, the return of the verdict, and the imposition of sentence, except as otherwise provided by these rules. In all prosecutions, the defendant’s voluntary absence after…