Fla. court blocks evidence at redistricting trial

[Jefferson23]

TALLAHASSEE — A Florida appeals court on Thursday blocked the release of documents that are supposed to be key evidence in an ongoing trial to determine whether state legislators broke the law when drawing up new political maps.

The groups suing the Florida Legislature had obtained documents from a Gainesville-based political consulting firm and wanted to use them to show that legislators drew up congressional districts in 2012 in a way that would help Republicans.

But lawyers hired by the Republican Party of Florida to represent Data Targeting and consultant Pat Bainter argued that the documents are trade secrets and should remain confidential. Judge Terry Lewis disagreed and ruled that they could be used in the redistricting trial that started this week.

But in a one-page ruling the 1ST District Court of Appeal overturned Lewis and said the evidence cannot be used. The three judges on the panel, all of whom were appointed by Republican governors, said they would explain the decision later.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140522/WIRE/140529791/1040?Title=Fla-court-blocks-evidence-at-redistricting-trial

[rickford66]

1. Wow. A clever way to hide evidence. I'm sure this will come in handy for some organization.

[Jefferson23]

4. Always working every angle. n/t

[Takket]

2. Florida: where its easier to get away with murder than cast a vote that counts.

[justhanginon]

3. Explain the decision later probably means

they are waiting for the check to clear.

[struggle4progress]

5. "We need to privatize! We need to privatize!"