Free Republic

Jurors selected to hear the upcoming criminal case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will have their identities withheld from the public until they reach a verdict, the judge who’ll oversee Blagojevich’s trial said Monday. In a meeting with reporters about news-gathering procedures for the trial, U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel expressed concern that people might email or otherwise barrage jurors with opinions about Blagojevich, who has made numerous television and radio appearances since his December 2008 arrest. Jurors are not supposed to discuss trials — or even view news coverage about them — outside of court. Similarly, Zagel said...

An appeals court says an inmate can't sue former Gov. Gray Davis even though he wrongly denied the prisoner parole for three years. The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals says governors are shielded from private lawsuits because they are essentially acting as judges and that erroneous decisions can be corrected on appeal. But the court did agreed that Davis had no authority to reverse the decision by the California Board of Prison Terms to parole Donald Miller, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. Governors can only review parole decisions on murder convictions.

Bush critics worry their protests will be shielded Tuesday, February 24, 2004 8:25AM EST The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Activists planning to protest President Bush's fund-raising visit on Thursday to Charlotte are concerned that they won't be allowed near him. Around the country, protesters say they've found themselves put in "free speech zones" at Bush appearances, out of sight of the president and the reporters covering him. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued to stop the practice. "If you're in a sea of people carrying signs that say, 'Yes,' you should be able to have a sign...