The People of the State of Colorado, Petitioner v. Omer Kelil Hassen, Respondent

Summary

The court held that the trial court violated Hassen's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial by intentionally excluding the entire public during the testimony of two undercover officers without satisfying the required closure factors. The violation was structural error, so harmless-error analysis did not apply and a new trial was required. The court affirmed the court of appeals and remanded for proceedings leading to a new trial.