Lawyers for both the defense and prosecution made public objections to the use of cameras at an Otoe County murder trial this week.
James Mowbray of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy objected to the cameras at the start of the evidence portion of the trial on Monday.
The cameras are allowed as a pilot project in the Second Judicial District counties of Sarpy, Cass and Otoe.
A still camera used by the Nebraska City News-Press prompted an objection Wednesday by Corey O’Brien of the state Attorney General’s Office.
O’Brien had earlier played a video for the jury of an interview between investigators and the defendant.
Otoe County Attorney David Partsch said there was concern going into the trial about how well the jury would hear the audio and said O’Brien did not welcome the repeated noise of a camera shutter.
O’Brien told Judge Rehmeier that the sound was “extremely distracting.”
He said later, speaking as a prosecutor rather than for the attorney general’s office, he is opposed to expanded media.
Mowbray said Wednesday expanded media coverage is intended to help citizens understand the workings of the courts, but said the Nebraska City News-Press is using Twitter, an Internet-based message board, to share notes about the trial.
“I didn’t realize it was a way journalists report,” he said. He said the newspaper is "Twittering while a man faces life in prison."
Judge Randall Rehmeier said he was aware that the sound of the shutter was an issue and said the photographer stopped when he motioned.
KOLN/KGIN Channel 10 has used a video camera in each day of the proceedings, but the television station’s cameras have not drawn any specific objections in open court.
The Nebraska Supreme Court has allowed the judicial district to develop rules for still and video cameras in the courtroom.
Chief Justice Mike Heavican said the rights of citizens to see the courts at work is important. He said the utmost importance is the citizens’ right to a fair trial.
