August 18, 2004

LET'S SEE THE TRIAL

As noted Tuesday by News columnist Dusty Saunders, Colorado was one of the first states to allow cameras and microphones in courtrooms during criminal trials. District Court Judge Terry Ruckriegle ought to keep this history in mind as he deliberates whether to allow them in his courtroom for the upcoming sexual-assault trial of basketball star Kobe Bryant.

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Far too many American judges have yet to acknowledge the fact that full public access to the courts depends nearly as much on cameras as on reporters' notebooks. Last year, Ruckriegle's predecessor, Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett, barred cameras from Bryant's preliminary hearing.

It was Hugh B. Terry, president and general manager of KLZ-Channel 7 (now KMGH) and KLZ radio, who led the campaign in 1955 to convince the Colorado Supreme Court to allow cameras and microphones in courtrooms during criminal proceedings. Subsequent state law allowed TV viewers to see highlights of the 1957 trial of John Gilbert Graham, convicted of blowing up a United Airlines plane, killing 44 persons.

What Terry knew then still holds: In our increasingly visual age, cameras play an invaluable role in giving citizens the information they need to make up their own minds regarding a public controversy.

GO HOME

The Iranian government forbids its athletes to compete one-on-one with Israeli athletes. So good riddance to world judo champion Arash Miresmaeili, who threatened to quit the Olympics because he was drawn to fight an Israeli opponent, and then was disqualified for failing to make weight. Better yet if the entire Iranian team went home and took their cheap political stunts with them.

- Rocky Mountain News

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