Opinion ID: 584174
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Screen of Witness

Text: 32 Appellants argue that the district court deprived them of their right to a public trial by screening Detective Tisinger's identity from the public during his testimony. 33 At trial, the Government sought to protect Detective Tisinger's identity, arguing that the use of a screen was necessary to protect his personal safety. Captain James Nunn, commander of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Kansas City Police Department, testified that if the identity of Tisinger became known on the streets of Kansas City, his safety would be compromised. Nunn stated that, although Tisinger had testified publicly at other proceedings, associates of Roulette had already brutally beaten Ivan Sanders, suggesting that Tisinger was at risk as well. The Government moved to shield Tisinger's identity from the public by screens during trial, but also requested that persons with press credentials be permitted to have an unobstructed view of Tisinger's testimony. The district court granted the Government's motion. 34 We review the district court's ruling under the abuse of discretion standard. United States v. Lucas, 932 F.2d 1210, 1217 (8th Cir.1991). Appellants argue that the record does not support screening Tisinger's identity because Tisinger has appeared in court in the past. We disagree. Considering the evidence of the risk to Tisinger's life in this case before the district court, we find no abuse of discretion in its conclusion to use a screen during Tisinger's testimony.