Reporters face unusual limits at Padilla terror trial (Barred from questioning attys at the trial)

[seafan]

Through the looking glass...


Reporters face unusual limits at Padilla terror trial

By Warren Richey
May 14, 2007

.....

Security is extraordinarily tight at the trial of alleged Al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla and two codefendants. This is no surprise. US marshals have flown here to Miami from across the country to help ensure that the trial is conducted without threat or incident.

But court security officers are enforcing an unusual rule for the trial, which is set to get under way with opening statements Monday. They are prepared to prevent members of the media from asking questions of defense lawyers or federal prosecutors at the trial.

In effect, newspaper, radio, and television reporters are being granted observer status – they may sit quietly, watch the trial, and take notes. But if during a court recess they approach a defense lawyer or prosecutor in the courtroom with a question, they risk being whisked away by security officials.

The ban on media questions also extends to the lobby outside US District Judge Marcia Cooke's courtroom and chambers.

.....

[Solly Mack]

1. k/r

...

[Zywiec]

2. Is this any different from the usual gag order placed on lawyers during a trial?

Now if it extends after the trial, we've got a serious problem.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

3. Wonder if he will be wearing a stun belt ie:Moussaoui

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/march2006/280306_b_belt.htm
copy/paste
If you're looking for a reason why Zacarias Moussaoui suddenly testified today to a version of the 9/11 plotline that sounds more like the Official story than even the official Whitewash Commission report, this video may have the answer.

In it, NBC news reporter Pete Williams lets slip that Moussaoui is wearing a "Stun belt" underneath his clothing controlled by US Marshals. MSNBC host Dan Abrams gets some more details on the stun belt.

A taste of the exchange:
WILLIAMS: The old outbursts were gone... He was very docile today... We believe that he's wearing one of those stun belts, and it may be that he was very worried about doing anything that would cause those Marshals to press the button....

ABRAMS: A stun belt? They literally have sOmething around his waist? That they can push a button and?

WILLIAMS: Well...

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

4. kick

[Disturbed]

5. After three years in Prison and Isolation without charges

Padilla will get the max that the law allows. This is another Farce of a Trial.