Judge denies media ban ahead of cop's trial over Breonna Taylor raid

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Judge denies media ban ahead of cop’s trial over Taylor raid

By DYLAN LOVAN
January 27, 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A judge on Thursday denied a request from a Louisville police officer who took part in the deadly raid on Breonna Taylor’s home to bar the media from part of his upcoming trial.

But Jefferson Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith ruled that the media can’t bring cameras into the courtroom while individual prospective jurors are questioned ahead of the trial of former Officer Brett Hankison, who was fired months after the March 13, 2020, raid.

Hankison wanted the media kept out of the courtroom during that phase of jury selection, which is set to begin Tuesday in Louisville. His attorney, Stewart Mathews, argued during a hearing this week that having reporters present during that phase could have a “chilling effect” on the prospective jurors being questioned.

Hankison’s motion was opposed by the Kentucky attorney general’s office and three news outlets: The Associated Press, the Courier Journal and WDRB-TV.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/ahmaud-arbery-media-shootings-kentucky-breonna-taylor-64f56dbadbcf42b735a3e0254ede3b8c

[Deuxcents]

1. Good first step.