Prop 8 Trial Closing Arguments May Be Televised

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Probably some time in March...

Closing Arguments May Be Televised

By Julia Rosen

Judge Walker is proceeding forward to get the closing arguments televised. This is great news for accountability and transparency in the trial. And I’m sure welcome news for our Trial Trackers, for while you all loved all of the liveblogging, it’s just not the same as watching it live on TV.

Despite a rebuff from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Bay Area’s federal judges are again proposing to allow cameras in their courtrooms, a plan that could lead to telecasting of closing arguments in a suit challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Given the likelihood that Judge Walker will be active from the bench, peppering the lawyers with questions, the closing arguments are likely to be very interesting and not just a couple lawyers standing and talking for hours on end.

If his court approves the new rule next week, Walker could allow camera coverage of the arguments along the lines of his previous order, subject to approval by Alex Kozinski, chief judge of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Telecasting lawyers’ arguments, without witness testimony, might pass muster with the Supreme Court, which hasn’t objected to televised hearings of arguments before the Ninth Circuit.

No witnesses, no real argument against this one and Prop 8’s defenders aren’t saying yet if they will still try and fight it.

Prop. 8’s sponsors, who opposed telecasting the trial, won’t say whether they would challenge the airing of final arguments.

With no specific broadcast plan on the table, “we’re not going to speculate on how we would feel about that,” said Andrew Pugno, lawyer for Protect Marriage, the Prop. 8 campaign committee.

Oh Pugno, we know you have no reason to oppose it now, but you will invent something to try and keep this trial behind closed doors. The question is…will the courts rule in your favor this time?

http://prop8trialtracker.com/

[Thumpalumpacus]

The telecast won't happen.

The pro-Prop 8 lawyers will wait 'til the last minute before they file an appeal to stay the trial pending a decision on broadcasting. The majority in the SC hasn't changed; it'll be 5-4 again.

This decision will be against teh ghey until Obama gets to replace a conservative.

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I guess we'll see.
Here's an very brilliant recent 5 part YouTube discussion as we await the closing arguments...must watch.
Proposition 8 Trial - Lawyers Theodore Olson & David Boies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajg8JFXUjw0

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See also: Gay Marriage Trial Rests, and a Key Ruling Awaits
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article ... z0gpPMVJmO