Read more: DA wants hearing in Jessica Ridgeway murder case open to public - The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingn...-close-hearing-jessica-ridgeway#ixzz2GK1pw0FX
Judge Stephen Munsinger ruled that the preliminary hearing for Austin Sigg will be closed to the media and the general public after Sigg's attorney said media coverage had been pervasive and extensive. The judge said coverage of the preliminary hearing would taint the jury pool.
Read more: DA wants hearing in Jessica Ridgeway murder case open to public - The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingn...-close-hearing-jessica-ridgeway#ixzz2GRuAMEkB
Ironically, neither the Prosecutor or Defense Attorney filed a motion to close the preliminary hearing to the media or the public. Imo, Judge Stephen Munsinger, is not only legislating from the bench, but ignoring the public's 1st amendment right of being informed. He should be ashamed, imo. An aware, informed, & educated juror pool is essential, for the personification of justice; 'balancing the scales of truth and fairness for all sides'..imo..
"Silence & lack of transparency is the predator's most lethal weapon"...
Criminal Profiler Pat Brown said
(LUV this Quote)
'We could use a strong accountability system not dependent on appeals, but rather oversight. The public/citizens have a right to know exactly how decisions are made and cases are handled.
It does not have to be in the midst of the case but certainly afterward there should be transparency. If there isnt, how can we address issues of corruption, incompetence, and error? We need to know in order to fix problems and hold people accountable for what is supposed to be work done on behalf of the citizens.
Somehow the interest of the state seems to preclude the citizenry which is odd considering the state IS the citizenry, well, at least in a democratic republic with a constitution'.