State v. Dais

VAUGHN, Judge.

Defendant contends that the court erred in denying his motions for mistrial. The motions were precipitated by the following events. While her husband was testifying, Brenda Griffin began to cry and sob. To afford Griffin an opportunity to regain her composure or to leave the courtroom, the court declared a short recess. Before the recess was announced, Griffin’s father, Walter Walston, came into the Bar, at the assistant solicitor’s suggestion, sat down by Griffin and put his arm around Griffin. The court subsequently determined that Griffin would not soon regain her composure…