State Courts

Seating restricted to reporters in public jury selection

By Ron Sylvester

When jury selection continues this afternoon in the murder trial of Scott Roeder, it will be open to the public through the news media.

Courthouse spokesman Kirk Longhofer said this morning that at least three people had asked to be in the courtroom for general questioning, set for 1:30 p.m.

Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert had opened the courtroom to the public, through four news media outlets which filed legal action to open the proceedings. The Eagle, the Kansas City Star, the Associated Press and KWCH-TV will have seats in the courtroom. An audio feed will be provided to other reporters covering the trial in a press room in another part of the courthouse.

The public will be granted limited access on a first-come, first-served basis, once testimony begins.

Testimony could start as early as Friday.

Full post as published by What the Judge Ate for Breakfast on January 21, 2010 (boomark / email).