PEOPLE OF MI V RICK ALAN BROWNRIGG
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
November 20, 2007
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 270303
Saginaw Circuit Court
LC No. 05-026641-FH
RICK ALAN BROWNRIGG,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Talbot, P.J., and Fitzgerald and Kelly, JJ.
FITZGERALD, J. (concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I agree with the majority’s conclusion that the trial court erred by excluding defendant
from an in camera hearing to determine the admissibility of evidence that could potentially be
excluded under the rape shield statute. See, e.g., People v Mallory, 412 Mich 229, 247; 365
NW2d 673 (1984) (a defendant has the right to be “present during . . . any [] stage of trial where
the defendant’s substantial rights might be adversely affected”); Coleman v. Alabama, 399 US 1,
9; 90 S Ct 1999; 26 L Ed 2d 387 (1990) (“A critical stage [of the proceedings] is one where
potential substantial prejudice to defendant's rights inheres in the particular confrontation . . .”).
I disagree, however, with the majority’s conclusion that the trial court’s erroneous denial of
defendant’s right to be present at the in camera hearing was harmless error.
There is no doubt that what was said during the in camera hearing might have adversely
affected defendant’s substantial rights, depending on what was said. Defendant’s presence at the
in camera hearing would have afforded him the opportunity to listen to the witness’s testimony
and make observations that could have been passed on and discussed with defense counsel and
directly aid the defense. Because defendant was denied the right to be present at the in camera
hearing and to aid in his defense, it cannot be determined by this Court that defendant’s
substantial rights could not have been affected or that actual prejudice did not occur. I would
reverse.
/s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald
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