Cameras in our courtrooms - why not?

Ms Paula Todd
Host
The Verdict with Paula Todd
www.theverdict/ctv.ca
theverdict@ctv.ca

Hi Paula,

We have an issue our readers hope your Producers will consider for a future segment of The Verdict. But first a couple questions we're hoping your guests can answer:

(1) Why is there no live courtroom coverage in the Chicago trial of Conrad Black yet it's permitted in other American jurisdictions?

(2) Cameras are banned in Canadian courtrooms. Why and who makes the determination?

As a pilot project, during the recently concluded Ontario Court of Appeal hearing of the Steven Truscott case (successfully prosecuted for the June 11, 1959 Clinton, Ontario murder of 14 year old Lynne Harper), cameras were allowed to film (live) as Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted lawyer James Lockyer argued for a new trial or acquital on behalf of his client. Manitoba's Premier is already on the public record as favouring such an initiative.

For particularly heinous crimes, such as murder or violent rapes, a Justice/Judge would have the prerogative to clear the courtroom of all cameras and/or spectators during particularly graphic testimony.

Could you please discuss this issue on The Verdict. Thank you!

Best Wishes,
Clare L. Pieuk

Electronic Distribution:
theverdict@ctv.ca