Media Will Ask Appeals Court to End to Secrecy in Jackson Case

LOS ANGELES — News organizations covering the Michael Jackson trial are seeking an end to the secrecy surrounding key aspects of the case. On Wednesday, a lawyer for The Associated Press and other news outlets covering the case will ask a three-judge panel of the state's 2nd District Court of Appeal to lift the gag order on attorneys in the case, and to end the practice of holding hearings in secret. Attorney Theodore Boutrous, who also represents ABC, CNN, CBS, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, NBC, The New York Times, USA Today and The Washington Post, will also ask for the release of several documents that have not been publicly released, or have been released only in heavily redacted form. Those include the indictment, several motions and search warrants, including the warrant for the search of Jackson's Neverland Ranch in November 2003. Boutrous said that an unprecedented shroud of secrecy has loomed over the case, making it difficult for the public to observe whether justice is being served. "We think these are very important issues for the public and its right of access to the criminal justice system," Boutrous said. Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville has said he wants to keep certain documents sealed to prevent potential jurors from forming opinions about the trial before it begins. He's afraid the info would allow potential jurors to form biases about the case before the trial begins--even though he has barred the 230 prospective panelists from reading news accounts of the Jackson case. Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville smiles Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, as he leaves the Santa Maria, Calif., Courthouse. Attorneys were scheduled to begin questioning potential jurors Monday about any potential biases, but the screening was delayed by a week because of the death of lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr.'s sister. Source: Associated Press/eMJey