Witness Sequestration Rule

“Witness sequestration” refers to a Court barring witnesses from the court room when a trial is being conducted. The purpose of the rule is two-fold: (1) it prevents a witness from “tailoring” testimony and it (2) aids in detecting testimony that is less than candid. Mitch Crawford Holiday Motors, 987 S.W.2d 359, 365 (Mo. App. W.D. 1999).“Sequestration of witnesses is a valuable tool in eliciting the truth.” State v.
Gibson, 760 S.W.2d 524, 527-28 (Mo. App. E.D. 1988). Nonetheless, witness sequestration is discretionary and a trial court is never obligated to grant the request.

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