Scope and Contents From the File: The ACLU submitted an amicus brief on behalf of appellant Ramon Pompa-Ortiz, who was convicted of "rape by force or violence," and who was denied his statutory right to a public preliminary examination under Penal Code section 995. Ostensibly, the reason for the private hearing was because of the sensitive nature of the victim's testimony, though the prosecutor did not offer a reason for the request, and the judge granted it over the defendant's objection. The defendant is allowed the right...