Romero v. State

OPINION

Opinion by

Chief Justice MORRISS.

When subpoenaed State’s witness, Cesar Hiran Vasquez, appeared at Israel G. Romero’s aggravated assault trial wearing dark sunglasses, a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, and a jacket with an upturned collar, leaving visible only Vasquez’s ears, the tops of his cheeks, and the bridge of his nose, the trial court, over defense counsel’s objection, allowed Vasquez to testify in the “disguise.” We must decide whether that violated Romero’s rights under the Confrontation and Due Process Clauses. We hold it did.

Romero was indicted for aggravated assault…