People of Mi v. Donald Wayne Davis Jr

Summary

The Michigan Supreme Court held that the trial court closed the courtroom for most of defendant's trial by ordering spectators to leave and not return, and that the closure violated defendant's constitutional public-trial right. Although defense counsel did not object, the claim was forfeited rather than waived, and the closure constituted plain structural error that warranted a new trial. The Court reversed the Court of Appeals and remanded for a new trial.