§ 135.090 Examination of adverse witnesses

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

When a witness testifies in a criminal case, the defendant has the right to be there and hear what they say. The witness can't testify in secret or behind closed doors without the defendant present.

Both sides also get the chance to cross-examine that witness. If the defendant's lawyer wants to question a witness who testified against the defendant, they can. And if the prosecution wants to question a witness who testified for the defendant, they can do that too.

This rule protects a basic right in criminal cases: the right to face your accusers and challenge what they say. It stops one side from using secret testimony or hidden witnesses to build a case without the other side getting a fair chance to respond.