[JLS]

that doesn't matter much to him and he believes he's going to remedy that in his own way and run his courtroom

The problem is that if the case is dropped or a jury acquits, much of the black community will think the fix was in and if there is a conviction a huge number of people will think a railroading based on race and politics. This can not be remedied with hearings without cameras. This may or really likely will be exacerbated by barring cameras.

[ltc8k6]

I wonder if Crystal has figured out which room she danced in at 610 yet?

Maybe Gottlieb finally straightened her out.

[abb]

WTVD's story here:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=local&id=4496849

[Jezebelle]

I agree with you. Smith disagrees with us. But I do know that judges have their own way of doing things and he may not give a rat's patoot if we're happy about it or not or what it might portend. I think that if there is a trial, whether there are cameras in there or not, the supporters or whichever side loses is going to throw a fit.

I want cameras in there. We all do. I want to see Mangum taken apart piece by dirty piece and to watch Nifong lose his ass, but we don't get to decide the question of cameras. Maybe Smith is trying to lower the decibels for what he believes would be in everyone's best interest and disallowing cameras may be a step in that direction in his way of thinking. I don't agree with that - just trying to give a little insight into what his perspective might be. Or, as I said before, he may just be a stubborn old coot who doesn't believe in cameras in the courtroom and he just isn't going to allow them, period, end of story.