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Smith v. McDowell
United States District Court for the Central District of California
No. EDCV 15-1844-VAP (AGR), 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 183225 (2016)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
Daniel Smith (defendant) was charged with child molestation. At trial, the trial judge ruled that Smith could not make eye contact with the seven-year-old victim-witness who was to testify against him. The judge ruled that given the nature of the charges and the relationship between Smith and the victim-witness, any eye contact would risk influencing or intimidating the witness. Smith was convicted, and he filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, alleging that the trial court violated his rights under the Confrontation Clause.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Phillips, C.J.)
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