Live Media Coverage Of Trial May End
Superior Court Judge William Mudd raised the possibility that the individual following the jurors may have been a member of the media.
From the beginning of the trial, Superior Court Judge William Mudd has promised anonymity to the 12 jurors and six alternates weighing evidence against the accused killer of Danielle van Dam.
Curiosity among members of the media and audience rose this morning when a juror and two alternates were called into the courtroom for questioning behind closed doors, before testimony was taken. The entire jury then went inside without the public or media.
"I've been meeting with my jury to keep them fully apprised of what is going on and the concerns of this court," Mudd announced during a statement in open court.
Mudd immediately pointed blame at the media and gave an angry lecture to the media in the courtroom.
"If it happens again, the television camera goes, the still camera goes, and the live radio input is off," Mudd warned, in reference to any future incidents.
In the courtroom is a television camera used on a pool basis for live broadcasts and a closed circuit feed to a media center next door. There is also a pool photographer shooting stills for the print media. An audio hookup allows two local radio stations to broadcast the trial live.
"This is serious," Mudd said about the incident. "I will not tolerate it."
On Wednesday, photographers attempted to get pictures of the defendant's son, Neal, in a hallway of the San Diego County Courthouse. That was after the judge ordered he not be photographed in the courtroom, and Mudd expressed his displeasure at that incident.