L.B. v. State

L.B., a juvenile, appeals the finding of delinquency for misdemeanor battery after the trial court denied his motion to amend the witness list to add the juvenile’s stepfather after the adjudicatory hearing had commenced, defense counsel had invoked the rule of sequestration and both sides had given their opening statements. L.B.’s stepfather, who had been sitting in the courtroom, announced that he “was there when it happened.” Defense counsel then spoke with the stepfather briefly and asked to amend the witness list to include the stepfather. The State objected. The court asked defense…