| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: |
PR00-011 |
| Contact: |
Date: |
| Sergeant Clarence Huber |
May 15, 2000 |
| (404) 730-4148 | |
|
Media Access to the Fulton County Courthouse Ray Lewis Trial |
|
| To
better accommodate representatives of the media, we ask that all entries
into the Fulton County Courthouse be made through the lobby at 185 Central
Avenue. This entrance will allow you access to the courts and other
departments within the building.
Through this location, you can gain entrance to the Fulton County Superior Court Building at 136 Pryor Street, the Fulton County State Court Building at 160 Pryor Street, and the Fulton County Government Center. In most cases, no additional security clearances will be necessary when traveling between buildings. While we attempt to extend every courtesy to the media, please be mindful that all packages are subject to search, including, but not limited to; briefcases, camera bags, and equipment cases. Deputies at the metal detectors will be available to assist you. Media Representatives who plan to cover the Ray Lewis trial will be issued a "Press Pass" in the lobby of the Fulton County Justice Center at 185 Central Avenue. Media personnel are required to sign-in and deposit their agency credentials before a press pass is issued. Please make sure that all representatives from your agency have verifiable press credentials. Business cards alone will not be accepted. All press passes must be returned to the information desk at the end of each day. Jury selection is scheduled begin on Monday, May 15, 2000. Attached to this letter is an order issued by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Alice D. Bonner relating to photograph and television filming of potential jurors in this case. Please be mindful of this order throughout the trial. Additionally, I am including a copy of Rule 22 of the Georgia Uniform Superior Court Rules. Out-of-state media representatives, and those not familiar with Rule 22 are encouraged read the attached copy at their convenience.
Letter to Media Outlets Following jury selection, the actual trial will be held in courtroom 1-B, located on the first floor of the Fulton County Justice Center. This courtroom is one of the larger courtrooms in the building. Media representatives who plan to monitor the trial from within the courtroom should make plans to arrive early each day. Seating in the courtroom is limited and no standing will be permitted once the trial is underway. A media room has been established near the courtroom in a secured section of the building. Pooled coverage of the Ray Lewis trial will be provided by Court TV. A Sheriffs Office Press Pass will be required to access this area. Myself, along with Captain David Chadd, and Sergeant Nikita Adams-Hightower will be available to assist you, if necessary. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (404) 730-4148. You can also page me at (404) 833-8884.
C O U R T O R D E R
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA
STATE OF GEORGIA. v. INDICTMENT NO. OOCRO1635 RAY LEWIS,
ORDER REGARDING PHOTOGRAPHS OR TELEVISION FILMING OF POTENTIAL JURORS The news media, including newspapers, magazines and television, are ordered not to take any photographs of and not to film any juror involved in the case of State v. Lewis, Oakley and Sweeting. Potential jurors should not be photographed or filmed as they enter or leave the courthouse, or during the process of filling out questionnaires on Friday, May 12, 2OO0. Additionally, no cameras, still or video, will be permitted in the courtroom during voir dire, which begins May 15, 2000, and expected to continue for a week or more. This Order applies throughout the jury selection process. Finally, during the trial of this case, no filming or photographs of jurors in the courtroom, or when they arrive or leave the courthouse, will be permitted. SO ORDERED this 11th day of May, 2000.
Unless otherwise provided by rule of the Supreme Court or otherwise ordered by the assigned judge after appropriate hearing (conducted after notice to all parties and counsel of record) and findings, representatives of the print and electronic public media may be present at and unobtrusively make written notes and sketches pertaining to any judicial proceedings in the superior courts. However, due to the distractive nature of electronic or photographic equipment, representatives of the public media utilizing such equipment are subject to the following restrictions and conditions: (A) Persons desiring to broadcast/record/photograph official court proceedings must file a timely written request (form attached as Exhibit "A") with the judge involved prior to the hearing or trial, specifying the particular calendar/case or proceedings for which such coverage is intended; the type equipment to be used in the courtroom, the trial, hearing or proceeding to be covered; and the person responsible for installation and operation of such equipment. (B) Approval of the judge to broadcast/record/photograph a proceeding, if granted, shall be granted without partiality or preference to any person, news agency, or type of electronic or photographic coverage, who agrees to abide by and conform to these rules, up to the capacity of the space designated therefor in the courtroom. Violation of these rules will be grounds for a reporter/technician to be removed or excluded from the courtroom and held in contempt. (C) The judge, in his discretion, may require pooch would allow only one still photographer, one television camera and attendant, and one radio or tape recorder outlet and attendant. Photographers, electronic reporters and technicians shall be expected to arrange among themselves pooled coverage if so directed by the judge and to present the judge with a schedule and description of the pooled coverage. If the covering persons cannot agree on such a schedule or arrangement, the judge may, in his discretion, designate the schedule and arrangements for pooled coverage. (D) The positioning and removal of cameras and electronic devices shall be done quietly and, if possible, before or after the court session or during recesses, in no event shall such disturb the proceedings of the court. In every such case, equipment should be in place and ready to operate before the time court is scheduled to be called to order. (E) Overhead lights in the courtroom shall be switched on and off only by court personnel. No other lights, flashbulbs, flashes or sudden light changes may be used unless the judge approves beforehand. (F) No adjustment of central audio system shall be made except by persons authorized by the judge. Audio recordings of the court proceedings will be from one source, normally by connection to the court's central audio system. Upon prior approval of the court, other microphones may be added in an unobtrusive manner to the court's public address system. (G) All television cameras, still cameras and tape recorders shall be assigned to a specific portion of the public area of the courtroom or specially designed access areas, and such equipment will not be permitted to be removed or relocated during the court proceedings. (H) Still cameras must have quiet functioning shutters and advancers. Movie and television cameras and broadcasting and recording devices must be quiet running. If any equipment is determined by the judge to be of such noise as to be distractive to the court proceedings, then such equipment can be excluded from the judge. (I) Pictures of the jury, whether by still, movie, or television cameras, shall not be taken except where the jury happens to be in the background of other topics being photographed. Audio recordings of the jury foreperson's announcement of the verdict, statements or questions to the judge may be made. Photographs and televising of the public and the courtroom are allowed, if done without disruption to the court proceedings. (J) Reporters, photographers, and technicians must have and produce upon request of court officials credentials identifying them and the media company for which they work. (K) Court proceedings shall not be interrupted by a reporter or technician with a technical or an equipment problem. (L) Reporters, photographers, and technicians should do everything possible to avoid attracting attention to themselves. Reporters, photographers, and technicians will be accorded full right of access to court proceedings for obtaining public information within the requirements of due process of law, so long as it is done without detracting from the dignity and decorum of the court. (M) Other than as permitted by these rules and guidelines, there will be no photographing, radio or television broadcasting, including video taping pertaining to any judicial proceedings on the courthouse floor where the trial, hearing or proceeding is being held or any other courthouse floor whereon is located a superior court courtroom, whether or not the court is actually in session. (N) No interviews pertaining to a particular judicial proceeding will be conducted in the courtroom except with the permission of the judge. (O) All media plans heretofore approved by the Supreme Court for superior courts are hereby repealed.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________ (STYLE OF CASE) CASE NO. _________ REQUEST TO INSTALL RECORDING AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHING EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRONIC AND PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS COVERAGE OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. Pursuant to Rule 22 of the Electronic and Photographic News Coverage of Judicial Proceedings in the Uniform Superior Court Rules, the undersigned hereby requests permission to install equipment in courtroom ______ in order to record, photograph or televise all or portions of the proceedings in the above-captioned case. Consistent with the provisions of the rules and guidelines, the undersigned desires to install the following described equipment: _____________ in the following locations: ___________. The proceedings that the undersigned desires to record, photograph or televise commence on (date). Subject to direction from the court regarding possible pooled coverage, the undersigned wishes to install this equipment in the courtroom on (date). The personnel who will be responsible for the installation and operation of this equipment during its use are: (identify appropriate personnel). _________________________________________________________________ The undersigned hereby certifies that the equipment to be installed and the locations and operation of such equipment will be in conformity with the rules and guidelines issued by the court. This ____ day of __________, 19______.
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