People v. Campbell

Opinion by

Judge PIERCE.

Defendant, Earl William Campbell, appeals a judgment of conviction entered on a jury verdict finding him guilty of aggravated robbery, felony theft, and being an habitual criminal. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

I

Defendant contends that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that he waived his right to be present during trial and, therefore, in conducting the trial in absentia. We agree.

The right to be present in the courtroom at every stage of his trial is a fundamental constitutional right afforded a defendant under the Sixth Amendment. Germany v.…