The intense media interest in the inside trading-related trial of Westports Martha Stewart has prompted the federal judge in the case to bar news coverage of questioning of prospective jurors.
The process is usually held in open court.
U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum said today she was concerned reporters might disclose the names of potential jurors and their answers to the questions they are asked.
“There is a substantial risk that such publication or the possibility of such publication would prevent prospective jurors from giving full and frank answers to questions posed to them,” she wrote.
The judge said she would release a transcript of the interviews the following day, with names withheld. The interviews are to begin Tuesday.
Lawyers for various media organizations covering the trial planned to ask the judge to hear them Friday and reconsider her ruling.
“We don’t believe Judge Cedarbaum followed the proper procedures, nor do we think that this type of order is justified in this case,” said Stephanie S. Abrutyn, a lawyer for Tribune Co., which owns Newsday.
Hundreds of prospective jurors have already filled out questionnaires.
Closing the process to reporters and the public is a rare step that hampers the public’s ability to monitor the judicial process, said Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
She said the step is usually reserved for cases in which there may be a risk of physical harm to a juror. But she said closing the process for publicity reasons is becoming more common.
