Murray Trachtenberg to make television debut?

www.ptlaw.mb.ca; mtrachtenberg@ptlaw.mb.ca

Good Day Readers:

Earlier media coverage of the upcoming Sinclair Inquest has identified Manitoba Metis Federation taxpayer financed defamation lawyer Murray Trachtenberg as the junior counsel representing the family.

If judge Preston allows television cameras into the courtroom it will mean you'll be able to watch Mr. Trachtenberg live in HD 3-D television from the comfort of your living room as he dazzles you with his legal maneuvering. He's very photogenic and should be the star attraction.

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Sinclairs want Manitobans to have access to inquest
By: Bruce Owen
March 12, 2010

WINNIPEG — A court hearing to allow a TV camera into the upcoming inquest into the 2008 death of Brian Sinclair has concluded with Judge Tim Preston reserving his decision until next Friday.

Winnipeg media were asking for permission to have a pool camera and a second set of remote control cameras installed in the courtroom for the duration of the inquest, which has not yet been scheduled.

The remote control camera would be used to live stream the inquest on the Internet.

Media and Sinclair's family say the cameras would make the inquest accessible to all Manitobans who have an Internet connection, including isolated northern communities and disabled people unable to travel.

Sinclair family spokesman Robert Sinclair said outside of the Law Courts the media should be allowed to broadcast the proceedings on TV and on the Internet.

"The advantage of having a camera in there is that we allow all Manitoban's to come to court," he said. "It's a process where nobody will be excluded."

He also said the courts should get in step with the times, especially if Prime Minister Stephen Harper can embrace YouTube to live-stream his address on the throne speech in the House of Commons.

"It's the 21st century, right?" Sinclair said. "We have all this technology. Why can't we use it?"

Sinclair died in the ER of the Health Sciences Centre after waiting 34 hours for treatment, but not being seen.

The provincial coroner has said his death was avoidable.

In court CBC lawyer Daniel Henry said the inquest is an important public event as it will also examine emergency room care in Manitoba.

Henry said just because the courtroom door is open doesn't mean inquest is open to Manitobans.

"In the end if television access is not (approved), we are saying to some people that they can't get to see what goes on," he said.

Lawyers who represent nurses and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority say cameras would turn the inquest into a media circus.

Judge Tim Preston reserved his decision until next Friday.