09/13/2023
Just went through security and sat down in the courtroom. Kohberger hearing expected to start at 2pmPT. Less crowded today. Only a handful of media.
Bryan Kohberger just walked into courtroom. He is wearing a suit jacket with a green tie. Sitting between his lawyers. Court starting now.
Lawyers for Kohberger, the prosecution, and attorneys for the media coalition are here.
The judge is questioning whether the media has the right to intervene about the camera issue at this point in the Kohberger case.
Attorney representing media coalition is arguing to the judge that the media does have the right to intervene when first amendment and access issues come up.
Attorney representing media coalition says this is an "access" issue -- that people have the right to see what is happening in the Kohberger courtroom. She says people should not have to travel to the courtroom to see what is happening inside.
There is an increasing need for people to see for themselves what is going on inside courtrooms in this country, attorney representing the media coalition at Kohberger hearing says.
Judge is still questioning whether the media has the right to "intervene" in this.
Judge says in the Daybell case the media was characterized as "interested" parties. But he is questioning whether the media can "intervene" in the camera issue at this point in the Kohberger case.
Judge says media cannot be "intervenors" at this point when it comes to question of cameras in Kohberger courtroom. But he says he will still consider the media's argument.
Kohberger defense says they are concerned cameras in the courtroom will turn the case into a spectacle -- and this will turn more into a tv show drama.
Kohberger defense says even though the media here is doing their job, people on social media still take the images and manipulate them.
Kohberger defense says they do not like where the camera is placed in the courtroom. They feel like there is a camera right behind them. If the court doesn't remove the cameras, then defense wants the cameras in a different location.
Kohberger judge brings up an interesting example -- says there are cameras on the House floor on Cspan. Maybe putting a camera at the back of the courtroom out of the way is better, he says.
Kohberger prosecution says media plays an important role in court process. They want to protect vulnerable witnesses/graphic evidence. They say the safest and best way to address concerns is prohibit cameras in courtroom, or to keep cameras out during certain testimony/evidence.
Media coalition lawyer is pushing for "pool" camera policy. One camera in Kohberger courtroom -- and then the video is given out to all media.
That is the way they are doing it now.
Kohberger judge says the media has "pushed the envelope.”
Media coalition lawyer tells judge photographers in the courtroom are getting wider shots. They can't control who later zooms in on the photos to show Kohberger.
Kohberger judge says he questions whether cameras in the coutroom is a dignified way to have a trial. He brings up OJ Simpson. "If anyone watched that case, it was a circus," he says.
Kohberger judge says he is asking the media to back off a little bit. He says he questions whether he can really trust the media to do the right thing. He says it's not the camera people, it's where the video goes and how commentators talk about it.
"It's not the same media it is now as it was 10 years ago with social media," Kohberger judge says. He wishes everyone had more respect for what is happening here. Says it's not entertainment, it is a tragic issue.
Media coalition lawyer argues that having cameras in the courtroom is the only way to have a real source of what happened. No cameras makes it easier for bad information to go out. If there is no actual footage of trial, responsible consumers have nowhere to go.
"The answer is more sunshine, not less," attorney representing media coalition at Kohberger hearing told judge.
If you want to avoid spectacle, take away the cameras outside the courtroom, not the camera inside -- media coalition lawyer tells Kohberger judge.
Kohberger judge says he is sending out a message to the media to be respectful, peaceful, and decent.
Kohberger defense is back up. Says they are not trying to throw the media out. They are just talking about the cameras.
Kohberger judge says this camera issue is interesting and powerful. Says a lot of balancing will go into his consideration.
Kohberger judge says other trials with cameras have "gotten out of control." "They spun out of control in my opinion."
Kohberger judge says he will try to do the right thing for the public and the parties. No decision today on cameras in the courtroom. Court is adjourned.
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