Open Courts Archives - Page 7 of 7 - Tennessee Coalition for Open Government

12 Feb, 2015

TBI files can be secret even when entered as evidence, Criminal Appeals Court says

By Deborah Fisher|2018-11-09T08:21:53-06:00February 12, 2015|Categories: court records, crime records|Tags: Court of Criminal Appeals, court records, Herbert Moncier, Judge Timothy Easter, Knoxville News Sentinel, sealed court records, TBI|0 Comments

Last week, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that Tennessee Bureau of Investigation files could remain confidential even when they are entered as evidence in a court trial. The case in which this came up involved the heinous murder of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, who were kidnapped, raped and tortured in Knoxville in 2007. The guilty verdicts in the trial were put in question when the presiding judge, Richard Baumgartner, became subject to a TBI probe related to buying prescription drug painkillers from two felons. Defense attorneys sought new trials, and parts of the TBI investigation were entered into the judicial proceeding. The parents of the victims intervened, [...]

3 Feb, 2015

Judge seals evidence from Vanderbilt rape trial

By Deborah Fisher|2015-02-03T05:49:30-06:00February 3, 2015|Categories: court records|Tags: Judge Monte Watkins, protective order, Robb Harvey, sealed court records, The Tennessean, Vanderbilt rape case|0 Comments

The Tennessean reports that Judge Monte Watkins, in an unusual move, has sealed all evidence presented in the recent Vanderbilt rape trial of two former football players. An excerpt from the story: It is the third ruling in the case prohibiting increasingly more information from public disclosure. The newest order says it is "reasonable and appropriate" to seal all evidence that was presented during the 12-day trial. More than 75 exhibits — from text messages to clothing to computers — were presented during the trial, which was open to the public. Judge Monte Watkins signed the expanded order on Wednesday, one day after Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, both 21, [...]

12 Sep, 2014

Ramsey, Ashe call for more transparency in the Tennessee Attorney General selection

By Deborah Fisher|2015-08-18T08:20:17-05:00September 12, 2014|Categories: Open Courts|Tags: Attorney General, Bob Cooper, Ron Ramsey, Tennessee Supreme Court, Victor Ashe|0 Comments

Tennessee's lieutenant governor and a former mayor of Knoxville have called for more transparency in the Tennessee Supreme Court's selection of the Attorney General. Bob Cooper currently holds the slot, and in a process unlike many states, the state's top court reviews candidates and decides who should take his place (or if he should remain in the job) when the eight-year term expires. In most states, the attorney general is an elected position. Andy Sher with the Chattanooga Times Free Press today reports on criticism of the Tennessee Attorney General selection process by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and former Knoxville mayor Victor Ashe. The Supreme Court will make its choice [...]

3 Sep, 2014

Knox County judge reverses camera ban in courtroom

By Deborah Fisher|2015-08-18T08:15:28-05:00September 3, 2014|Categories: Open Courts|Tags: camera ban, courtroom access, Knoxville News Sentinel, Rick Hollow, tv camera ban, WBIR|0 Comments

The Knoxville News Sentinel and WBIR challenged a camera ban in the courtroom of a newly elected chancellor, and got a reversal. The judge had refused the newspaper's request to photograph his first day on the bench. The newspaper made the request under the Supreme Court Rule 30, which governs media coverage in courtrooms. The rule basically allows a judge an ability to limit or refuse media coverage in certain circumstances "to (i) control the conduct of the proceedings before the court; (ii) maintain decorum and prevent distractions; (iii) guarantee the safety of any party, witness, or juror; and (iv) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause..." There [...]

22 Jan, 2014

Pics from “Judges and Journalists” event

By Deborah Fisher|2015-08-18T08:17:59-05:00January 22, 2014|Categories: Open Courts|0 Comments

A link to pictures from recent event by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists on courts and the media. Among discussion topics: sealed records, closed court proceedings and technology (twitter and liveblogs) in the courtroom.