He also asked that defense attorneys "refrain from efforts to influence Durham citizens regarding the evidence which might be introduced at a trial." To that end, he urged the State Bar to use its power to limit "the publication of evidence" that could possibly influence a future jury.
Barber wants to gag the defense, meanwhile he posts an 82 item "fact sheet."
Big hint for NAACP: gagging the defense would not have ended the dissemination of exculpatory evidence.
One thing that set this case apart from all others is that the defense has attached actual discovery documents to numerous defense filings. Kirk Osborn is a genius for making his case filings available on his website. I believe the availability of primary source documents was a major factor in building widespread public support for the defense. I wouldn't be comfortable basing my opinion on something I read in a newspaper or heard on TV. No one had to convince me of anything. I read the documents and I made up my own mind.
Brad Bannon wrote an article "Pre-trial Publicity: Know the Rules," which was published in TRIALbriefs,Dec 2003. It's a good article that even an ordinary person [me] can understand. http://www.cheshirepark.com/Pre-TrialPublicity.pdf
Prostitution case results in sentences
Runaways forced into sex trade
The Charlotte Observer, Jan 19, 2007 03:05 AM
Brothers Tracy and David Howard were each sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole for their roles in a Charlotte prostitution and drug ring that forced runaway girls as young as 14 to have sex with up to 10 men a night.
Their mother, 43-year-old Ila Howard, accused of operating an escort service and conspiring with her sons in their prostitution business, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.
During the three-week trial, six girls told jurors that they were forced to visit apartment complexes in northeast Charlotte and have sexual intercourse with men who paid $25 for 15 minutes. The girls were also sent throughout the Carolinas to engage in acts of prostitution for the escort service.
Before sentencing the brothers, U.S. Chief District Court Judge Bob Conrad talked about how the young girls had been beaten and abused.
"He deliberately targeted drug-addicted runaways, who he marketed door to door for sex," the federal judge said before sentencing 25-year-old Tracy Howard, who housed and fed the prostitutes.
"But if any caused trouble or showed signs of attempting to leave, he beat them back into submission," the judge said.
Conrad called 26-year-old David Howard's conduct "monstrous."
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/533834.html