State v. Chapple

During his trial for second degree rape of a fellow prisoner, Damon Chappie was removed from the courtroom because of his disruptive and dangerous conduct. Chappie asserts that his exclusion violated his federal and state constitutional rights to be present at trial and his right to testify.

We hold that the trial court did not violate Chappie’s constitutional rights to testify and be present at trial when it removed him from the courtroom. In so holding, we reiterate our prior decisions that in such circumstances great deference is to be given the trial court, which is in the best position to…