State of Wisconsin Ex Rel. Stevens v. Circuit Court for Manitowoc County

This petition for supervisory writ is before us on certification from the court of appeals pursuant to sec. (Rule) 809.61, Stats. The writ seeks reversal of an order, made by Judge Fred H. Hazle-wood of Manitowoc county, excluding the general public, except the news media, from the preliminary examination in a sexual assault case at the request of the state’s complaining witness under the mandatory exclusion provision of sec. 970.03(4).1 The defendant *242objects to closure in this manner, claiming it violates his sixth amendment right to "public trial.” We conclude that the mandatory provision…