United States v. Rhynes

Michael Rhynes, D. S. Davis, and Corwin Alexander (co-defendants) were prosecuted for drug dealing; Davis testified against Rhynes and Alexander under a plea deal, and the judge issued an FRE 615 sequestration order to keep Alexander from hearing Davis's testimony while Davis was on the stand. After Davis testified, Rhynes's attorney, Scofield, briefed Alexander on important new details from Davis's testimony so Alexander could respond in his own testimony, then told the judge about the briefing; the judge ruled this violated the sequestration order and struck Alexander's testimony, and Rhynes appealed after being convicted.