People v. Janis

JUSTICE HOOD delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶ 1 Erin Janis stabbed a man outside of a bar in Denver. As a result, the People charged Janis with first degree assault. She claimed self-defense, and the case went to trial. Although in custody, Janis asked through trial counsel to leave the courtroom during the victim's testimony, ostensibly because she feared it might trigger her post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD"). Without *1200first advising her of her right to remain or inquiring with her directly about her desire to leave, the trial court granted her request. The jury found Janis guilty,…