Steven Ayala v. Hubert Speckard, Superintendent of Groveland Correctional Facility

ALTIMARI, Circuit Judge:

Petitioner-appellant Steven Ayala (“Ayala”) was arrested as a result of an undercover “buy and bust” operation by state police officers in the Bronx, New York. At trial, the state prosecutor sought to have the courtroom closed during the police officer's testimony so as not to jeopardize the safety and efficacy of the officer’s future undercover operations. The state court judge granted the closure and allowed the officer to testify absent the scrutiny of the public. Ayala unsuccessfully appealed his conviction through the state system, asserting that the courtroom…