We review a district court's evidentiary ruling—which triggers a confrontation clause analysis—for abuse of discretion. State v. Hall, 1999 MT 297, ¶¶ 28, 37, 297 Mont. 111, 991 P.2d 929.
We exercise plenary review over claimed violations of a defendant's right to be present at a critical stage in the proceedings, including for confrontation clause purposes. State v. Northcutt, 2015 MT 267, ¶¶ 5, 6, 381 Mont. 81, 358 P.3d 179 (citing State v. Charlie, 2010 MT 195, ¶ 21, 357 Mont. 355, 239 P.3d 934).