State v. Evans

MOORE, Justice:

Appellants appeal the trial judge’s closure of a bond hearing. We vacate the order.

FACTS

This case involves the trial judge’s sua sponte closing of a bond hearing in a criminal trial. On March 7, 1996, the trial judge closed a bond hearing for attorney Mark Evans. Evans was charged with felony driving under the influence, reckless homicide, murder, and leaving the scene of an accident. This case was being closely followed by the media and general public. Following the closed hearing, Evans was released on a bond of $125,000 contingent on house arrest daily from 9:00 p.m. till…