http://www.thedailystar.com/localnews/x1927864761/Judge-to-weigh-evidence-allowed-in-Ramsaran-trial
July 16, 2014
Judge to weigh evidence allowed in Ramsaran trial
NORWICH A hearing expected to determine which prosecution evidence will be admitted and which will be suppressed was completed Tuesday in the case of accused murderer Ganesh Remy Ramsaran of South New Berlin, charged with killing his wife, Jennifer, during a time when he had been having an affair with her close friend.
The courtroom where the daylong hearing was held with Ramsaran, 39, in attendance was closed to the public and press by Chenango County Judge Frank Revoir.
In so ruling, the judge stated in his decision that after considering all of the arguments of counsel and conducting my own independent legal research, the Court has reached the conclusion that in this particular case, that Mr. Ramsarans right to a fair trial would be compromised were the Court to have the pretrial hearings published and subject to public viewing. Particularly due to the high publicity that this case has encountered.
In New York, the public has a presumptive right to attend judicial proceedings, and the judges decision was protested by a reporter for The Daily Star to the state Office of Court Administration.
A spokesman for the agency, David Bookstaver, said after conferring with Revoir that the judge believes Ramsarans right to a fair trial trumps the right of the public to attend the hearing. Bookstaver said Revoir explained he was basing his decision on the unusual circumstances, noting the case against Ramsaran is based on circumstantial evidence. Ultimately, he added, the judge felt the defendants right to a fair trial trumps the right of the public to attend the pre-trial hearing.
The request to close the courtroom came from Ramsarans new defense lawyer, Gil Garcia. Chenango District Attorney Joseph McBride took not position on the closure, though did ask that the parents of the late Jennifer Ramsaran, Thomas and Carol Renz, and the sister of the alleged victim, Joann Buff, be allowed to attend the proceeding. Revoir granted that request, and the family members were ushered into the courthouse while the reporter remained in a downstairs lobby.
In his closure decision, Revoir expressed concern with the considerable amount of attention the case has been getting in both the news media and on a social media page known as Justice for Jennifer. Carol Renz and Joann Buff are among the scores of people who have posted comments on that page.
Ganesh Ramsaran was also involved in publicizing what he called his wifes unexplained disappearance in December 2012, granting numerous interviews, including several with The Daily Star, before his wifes body was located 2½ months after he reported her missing. her .
