Media Firms Sue to Force Opening of Zimmerman File

[alp227]

Source: NY Times

Lawyers representing more than 20 media companies, including The New York Times, on Monday asked the Florida judge overseeing the trial of George Zimmerman to unseal the court file.

The Seminole County judge who presided over Mr. Zimmerman’s brief court appearance on Thursday agreed to a request by Mark M. O’Mara, Mr. Zimmerman’s lawyer, to keep private records and documents related to the case. State Attorney Angela B. Corey did not object to Mr. O’Mara’s request during the hearing.

In an eight-page motion, the lawyers for the media companies argued that the records were improperly sealed because Mr. O’Mara did not submit evidence showing that closing the records was necessary to prevent a “serious and imminent” threat to the administration of justice.

George Freeman, assistant general counsel and vice president of The Times, said the judge did not go through the procedural steps required before a file can be sealed. “Just because a case gets a lot of publicity does not mean that papers should be sealed,” Mr. Freeman said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/us/media-firms-sue-to-force-opening-of-zimmerman-file.html

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But wouldn't opening the files interfere with Zimmerman's right to a fair trial?

[appleannie1]

1. It could even interfere with the use of evidence at the trial IMO but I am not a lawyer

[elleng]

2. Procedural steps or not, judge made correct decision;

almost a no-brainer, and I expect media lawyers know this. We'll have to await trial to learn all the facts, along with the jury. That's the way it should be.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Wouldn't be even considered in the UK

for fear of prejudicing a trial to the extent of making it fold. If and when the News International trials finally start there will be complete press lockdown on evidence.

[vaberella]

5. Nope. There's some sort of Sunshine Law in Florida.

So the entire court proceedings and evidence will be made public when and if there is a trial. It's a weird state. I realize the sunshine law is focused on televised court hearings so hence my meaning that eventually the evidence will be out there.

[vaberella]

4. I think you're right. But in Florida the laws are a bit different.

Something about sunshine laws. O'Mara just wants to tamp down on any animosity building if any more information is put out there. And I get the feeling there might be a lot of things we still don't know yet. If it goes to trial I agree that releasing any of this information could be detrimental to the case.

[freshwest]

6. Not opening the files would lead to a loss of media profits, that's all this is about.

When was the last time real justice for people and the planet was allowed a voice on mainstream media?

Eff them and their desire to keep the pot stirred so they can make more money off the emotional content of the case.

[KurtNYC]

7. the media doesn't need the files to 'keep the pot stirred'

they did 6 months on Sandra Levy without ANY new information, and when the facts came out they promptly dropped the story as if they had never tried and convicted Gary Condit. No admissions of guilt, no remorse, no apologies just on to the next Rorschach test.

Keeping a spotlight on this case is what got us THIS far. I have to give them some credit for GZ's arrest.

[freshwest]

8. True, but that only. They've got so many bodies under their feet, I don't trust their motives.