5/18/95 Order Barring Court TV & USA Today Reporters From Courtroom

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES Date: 18 May 1995 Department 103 Hon. Lance A. Ito, Judge D. Robertson, Deputy Clerk People v. Orenthal James Simpson Case #BA097211 COURT ORDER The court has received notes from two jurors complaining of noise created by two news reporters in the audience section of the courtroom: "I am writing you to alert you of the two reporters sitting in seats C16 [Kristin Jeanette Meyers/Court TV] and [C17 Gail Holland/USA Today] and their constant interruptions during the court session. They are constantly whispering which distracts my attention for brief moments of time. It happened yesterday and also this morning." Juror A. "I am having trouble trying to hear the testimony at times due to the fact that a few members in the audience are whispering a ltttle (sic) loud. Two days in a row." Juror B. Any unwarranted disruption of a court proceeding is a good cause for the court to take appropriate action. The court has an obligation to act where the disruption impacts upon a juror's ability to hear and see the evidence. The appellate courts have wisely conferred wide discretion upon the trial courts to control the proceedings within the courtroom. Talking or whispering amongst audience members while court is in session is never acceptable behavior, especially when it interferes with the jury's ability to hear the evidence. The court finds good cause to bar Kristin Jeanette Meyers/Court TV and Gail Holland/USA Today from admission to Department 103. IT IS SO ORDERED. ----- Brought to you by - The 'Lectric Law Library The Net's Finest Legal Resource For Legal Pros & Laypeople Alike. http://www.lectlaw.com