Moore v. State

I dissent as to that portion of the opinion reversing the kidnapping and theft convictions.

First, the majority accepts without question the assertion of appellant that he was prejudiced because the police officers who testified against him were allowed to sit inside the railing in the courtroom directly in front of the jury during the closing arguments. The trial judge allowed this seating arrangement because there were rumors of an escape attempt on the part of the appellant. Clearly, the trial judge has wide discretion in determining the manner in which a trial is to be conducted, and we…