Court asks for quick response in Enron file release request

[Nottingham]

Court asks for quick response in Enron file release request
By MARY FLOOD
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today asked for quick responses from the parties in answer to a Houston Chronicle request that U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt be ordered to release three sealed transcripts in an Enron criminal case and to stop holding closed hearings.

The newspaper asked Tuesday for an expedited hearing and the federal appellate court appears willing since it asked the parties to deliver copies of their responses by Monday afternoon to each member of a three-judge panel. The panel includes Judges Jerry Smith and Harold DeMoss Jr., both of Houston, and Carl Stewart of Shreveport, La.

Hoyt, based in Houston, is overseeing the cases against three former Enron executives, including ex-Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow. The judge has held three closed hearings in the case, one on July 28 and two on Aug. 26. Fastow, Ben Glisan Jr. and Dan Boyle all have pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud in connection with various deals at Enron.

The Chronicle argued that Hoyt has failed to articulate a compelling reason for closing these pretrial hearings and his actions are "manifestly invalid under the First Amendment." The public's right to access to pretrial and criminal proceedings must not be lightly suspended, the newspaper argued.
more...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2081063


The Chronicle argued

"manifestly invalid under the First Amendment." The public's right to access to pretrial and criminal proceedings must not be lightly suspended, the newspaper argued.

Ya Damn Right! Open up this court and lets see the TRUTH! :bounce:

[gratuitous]

1. As I recall

The court's original reason for shutting out the media was because it would cause undue embarrassment to po' lil Andy Fastow in the Houston community to have his sins aired for everyone to read about, talk about and presumably have a damn good laugh about.

Well your honor, I submit that after all the money Mr. Fastow stole from the public, and considering that all that money has gone where the woodbine twineth (as railroad robber baron Jay Gould so memorably phrased it), the public, which has been cheated, robbed, and bled white by these latter day robber barons is entitled to laugh at their expense. They can certainly afford it.

[Nottingham]

2. I totally Agree! Hearing this case behind closed doors is Criminal

Heres the possibilities cause the closer we get to Ken Lay the closer we get to Bush! :bounce:

We are moving up that food chain

[Nottingham]

3. I can't wait to see the papers on the trial

:bounce: