Accused rapist objects to my presence in the courtroom
I dropped by an Airport courtroom this afternoon where jury selection was underway for the trial of a man accused of raping and nearly killing a woman on a Hawthorne street. The victim was attacked as she collected cans from trash containers.
The accused rapist does not have a lawyer. He is representing himself, so I figure this should be interesting. I don't know about his law background, but I learned quickly that he needs to take a 12th grade U.S. Government refresher course.
I suspected the case was close to starting so I took a chair in the corner of the audience area and waited for the prosecutor and defendant to finish picking the jury.
About 3:20, the judge decided it was time for a break and sent the prospects out to the hallway. Before they were called back in, the defendant asked the judge who the gentleman in the corner was.
The judge asked me to identify myself, so I did.
As so many do, the defendant apparently had a problem with me. He told the judge he had not been notified that I would be there.
"At this time I object to him being here," he said, adding he would have more information Thursday morning on why I should be excluded.
The judge then explained to him about America and the public courtroom.
This case should get underway Thursday. I'll be there.
The accused rapist does not have a lawyer. He is representing himself, so I figure this should be interesting. I don't know about his law background, but I learned quickly that he needs to take a 12th grade U.S. Government refresher course.
I suspected the case was close to starting so I took a chair in the corner of the audience area and waited for the prosecutor and defendant to finish picking the jury.
About 3:20, the judge decided it was time for a break and sent the prospects out to the hallway. Before they were called back in, the defendant asked the judge who the gentleman in the corner was.
The judge asked me to identify myself, so I did.
As so many do, the defendant apparently had a problem with me. He told the judge he had not been notified that I would be there.
"At this time I object to him being here," he said, adding he would have more information Thursday morning on why I should be excluded.
The judge then explained to him about America and the public courtroom.
This case should get underway Thursday. I'll be there.
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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the press and the first ammendment are not necessarily valid during a trial. In fact there are valid reasons why the press may be excluded from testimony.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0457_0596_ZO.html
"A trial court can determine on a case-by-case basis whether closure is necessary to protect the welfare of a minor victim. [n20] Among the factors to be weighed are the minor victim's age, psychological maturity and understanding, the nature of the crime, the desires of the victim, [n21] and the interests of parents and relatives. Section 16A, in contrast, requires closure even if the victim does not seek the exclusion of the press and general public, and would not suffer injury by their presence. [n22] "