SIMPSON JUDGE LIMITS COVERAGE.Byline: Linda Deutsch Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. Television cameras, still photographers and even sketch artists will be banned from the courtroom for the wrongful death The taking of the life of an individual resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons. If a person is killed because of the wrongful conduct of a person or persons, the decedent's heirs and other beneficiaries may file a wrongful death action trial of O.J. Simpson, a judge ruled Friday. Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki also said he would seal all records of bench conference proceedings and any hearings held outside of the jury's presence during the duration of the trial. Fujisaki, who heard extensive arguments from media lawyers before making his decision, called cameras in the court intrusive and distracting dis·tract tr.v. dis·tract·ed, dis·tract·ing, dis·tracts 1. To cause to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; divert. 2. To pull in conflicting emotional directions; unsettle. . ``The court has concluded from the experience of the (Simpson) criminal trial that electronic coverage of the trial significantly diverted and distracted the parties,'' he said. The judge noted that some witnesses ``played to the camera,'' and ``there were displays in the courtroom that contributed to a circus atmosphere. This detracted from the dignity of the courtroom.'' Fujisaki also barred still photographers from the courtroom. And he said he would not allow sketch artists to draw pictures because that also could distract jurors, who would be concerned about how they would be depicted de·pict tr.v. de·pict·ed, de·pict·ing, de·picts 1. To represent in a picture or sculpture. 2. To represent in words; describe. See Synonyms at represent. by the artists. The judge also refused to modify or lift a gag order A court order to gag or bind an unruly defendant or remove her or him from the courtroom in order to prevent further interruptions in a trial. In a trial with a great deal of notoriety, a court order directed to attorneys and witnesses not to discuss the case with the media—such that prevents attorneys and other parties to the case from discussing anything having to do with the case in public or with the news media. ``The scope of the gag order, which even bars the victims' family members from speaking to the media, is unprecedented . . . and parts of this gag order could be vulnerable to constitutional attack,'' said Peter Arenella, a University of California, Los Angeles UCLA comprises the College of Letters and Science (the primary undergraduate college), seven professional schools, and five professional Health Science schools. Since 2001, UCLA has enrolled over 33,000 total students, and that number is steadily rising. , law professor. The judge also denied a request for the media to have access to trial transcripts through the Internet as the record is recorded by a court stenographer An individual who records court proceedings either in shorthand or through the use of a paper-punching device. A court stenographer is an officer of the court and is generally considered to be a state or public official. . He said he would not allow that, but would release transcripts after they are transcribed in the normal manner and placed in the court record. The motion was scheduled for hearing Sept. 17, the day the trial is scheduled to begin. |
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