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STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v STEPHEN DANIEL PORTER, Defendant-Appellant.

UNPUBLISHED July 21, 2011

No. 298351 Wayne Circuit Court LC No. 09-026718-FC

Before: BORRELLO, P.J., and METER and SHAPIRO, JJ. PER CURIAM. Defendant was convicted by a jury of six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), MCL 750.520b(1)(a) and (b), and six counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520c(1)(a) and (b). He was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 108 months to 20 years for each first-degree CSC conviction and 29 months to 15 years for each second-degree CSC conviction. He appeals as of right, and for the reasons set forth in this opinion, we affirm. Defendant was convicted of sexually molesting a family relative during a four-year period from 2002 to 2006. Evidence of additional uncharged sexual acts against the victim was admitted pursuant to MRE 404(b)(1). At trial, the victim testified to an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse over a period of several years, beginning when the victim was approximately eight years old and continuing until he was approximately fifteen years old. I. PUBLIC TRIAL Defendant first argues that he was denied his right to a public trial when the trial court closed the courtroom to the public during jury voir dire. Judge Gregory Bill conducted the jury voir dire in this case.1 At the beginning of voir dire, Judge Bill stated: THE COURT: . . . I have to excuse everyone from the courtroom. Only prospective jurors can be in for this process; okay?

1

Judge Bill conducted voire dire and Judge Cynthia Hathaway presided over defendant's trial.

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What's your projection for the length of trial, going to be inclusive of jury selection

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