Friday, 7 January 2000
http://www.azstarnet.com/public/dnews/LK0074.html
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The prosecutors of Sara Jane Olson saidyesterday they believe TV coverage of her bombing conspiracy trialwould endanger public safety by showing how terrorist groups makebombs.
Opposing a media motion to allow TV coverage, Deputy DistrictAttorneys Michael Latin and Eleanor Hunter also said in courtdocuments that they fear live TV coverage could hinder other relatedinvestigations.
``Much of the testimony in this case will revolve around the makingof terrorist bombs,'' said the document filed in Los Angeles SuperiorCourt. ``Experts will describe in explicit detail how terroristgroups, like the SLA (Symbionese Liberation Army), make theirbombs, how law enforcement disarms them, and techniques used bylaw enforcement in tracking those responsible for domestic terroristattacks.
``Detailed gavel to gavel television coverage will hinder lawenforcement and be detrimental to public safety,'' they concluded.
Court TV and Cable News Network have asked to televise the triallive. Olson's defense team supported their motion, saying herright to a fair trial will be enhanced by TV coverage.
So far, Superior Court Judge James Ideman has refused to admitTV cameras to hearings in the case.
The prosecutors argued that live coverage also would expose evidencerelevant to other cases.
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