United States Sixth Circuit

Grant of habeas relief from a conviction for armed robbery is reversed where a state court reasonably ruled that an ex parte communication during petitioner's bench trial in the case did not involve a critical stage and that any error arising from defense counsel's absence was harmless.

Appellate Information

• Decided 08/07/2008
• Published 08/07/2008

Judges

• Before:  SILER, CLAY, and COOK, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  Brian O. Neill, Office of the Michigan Attorney General, Lansing, Michigan, for Appellant.   ON BRIEF:  Brian O. Neill, Office of the Michigan Attorney General, Lansing, Michigan, for Appellant.  Mark N. Awada, Warren, Michigan, for Appellee.