Opinion ID: 196026
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sequestering of Witnesses

Text: 27 The Simones argue on appeal, as they did in their motion for reconsideration, that the sequestering of Linda Simone during the trial violated their rights. Fed. R. Evid. 615 provides, in relevant part, as follows: 28 At the request of a party the court shall order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses, and it may make the order of its own motion. This rule does not authorize exclusion of (1) a party who is a natural person.... 29 The district court ruled as follows in response to the Simones' motion for reconsideration: 30 Having reviewed the trial transcript in connection with appellants' contention that Linda Simone was improperly sequestered at trial, and having concluded that she was sequestered pursuant to the motion of counsel for the Simones, it is hereby Ordered that appellants' motion to reconsider is DENIED. 31 We agree with the district court that by moving for the sequestration of witnesses, specifically including Linda Simone, and by failing to object during the bankruptcy proceeding to the sequestering of Linda Simone, the Simones waived the issue. Cf. United States v. Abbott, 30 F.3d 71, 73 (7th Cir. 1994) (failure to move for exclusion of witness at trial constitutes waiver of argument on appeal that court erred in failing to exclude witness); Hull v. Merck & Co., 758 F.2d 1474, 1478 (11th Cir. 1985) (denying request for new trial where plaintiff had been excluded from courtroom in violation of Fed. R. Evid. 615(1), but plaintiff-after returning to the courtroom-agreed to proceed with trial). Moreover, the Simones have failed to demonstrate any prejudice as a result of Linda Simone's exclusion from the courtroom. See United States v. Bobo, 586 F.2d 355, 366 (5th Cir. 1978) (party seeking reversal on basis of violation of Fed. R. Evid. 615 must demonstrate prejudice therefrom), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 976 (1979).