CNN crime and justice reporter Shimon Prokupecz shared an interesting update from the Paul Manafort trial:
The judge will hold a hearing on a motion by CNN and media organizations to unseal the names and addresses of jurors as well as other parts of the trial that are currently secret.
“A thirsty press is essential in a free country,” the Judge said in announcing the hearing.
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) August 17, 2018
Beg your pardon?
What? https://t.co/2lyJOgUL6G
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ambermarian/status/1030456260523712512
I wouldn't like my name and address released if I was on the jury. Am I the only one against this? Maybe I don't understand fully.
— “Excuse me while I kiss the sky.” ― Jimi Hendrix (@laurajeansev1) August 17, 2018
No, you’re most definitely not the only one:
I think that's terrible – it could potentially put the jurors' lives at risk. You just know there will be some reporters who will show up at their homes.
— Rhonda Wolfson (@just_rhondaw) August 17, 2018
absolutely terrible idea.
— Ganesh Ranganathan (@ganeshran) August 17, 2018
A responsible press is also essential in a free country. And this is not that. https://t.co/FIJHhW4z15
— Sean T at RCP (@SeanTrende) August 17, 2018
I'm all for free press coverage of trials, but publicly releasing the identification of jurors in an already highly-profiled trial seems to be a tad much, no? https://t.co/InTaeOXW91
— Andrew Clark (@AndrewHClark) August 17, 2018
That could easily endanger these people's lives. Not cool.
— MotherOfDogs (@Donz_Resists) August 17, 2018
The only reason to do this would be to intimidate and harass jurors and their families, setting a precedent for all future jurors to be afraid to serve.
— Kathi Smoak (@kathismoak) August 17, 2018
If I knew in advance I would be subject to public scrutiny for participating on a jury, I would tell the judge I'm biased, and in turn, would be dismissed. No way would I put my family at risk for doing my civic duty. Sad situation in this uncivil time.
— Gary Gibbons (@gary7101) August 17, 2018
This seems like a horrible idea. I don't think people will show up for juries if they fear their info would be made public. https://t.co/01Yp8nJLTs
— Mickey White (@BiasedGirl) August 17, 2018
Names and addresses for the jurors is kind of threatening. You going to their homes if you don’t like the outcome?
— popeye (@jbwrd88) August 17, 2018
Why would you need their addresses? Sounds very dangerous doesn't it? I've been on jury duty. And wouldn't want my personal information made public.
— Betsy Fleming ?✊✌? (@Betsypoo62) August 17, 2018
I don’t think the press should have the right to publish the names of jurors.. they don’t do this voluntarily and you could put their life in danger
— the Chirpy 1 (@Debdicker) August 17, 2018
This sounds like a very bad idea. Why is CNN doing this? https://t.co/ivvUfuQI7N
— Nathan, son of Robert (@NathanWurtzel) August 17, 2018
Isn’t it obvious?
https://twitter.com/TPCarney/status/1030479129127395329
Heh. But seriously. This sounds like a recipe for disaster.
https://twitter.com/LDoren/status/1030481717210046464
CNN sure does love it some doxxing
— Razor (@hale_razor) August 17, 2018
We’re not enemies of people. Also we want the names and addresses of jurors. No reason.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 17, 2018
***
Update:
More on that motion and the judge’s response:
The jury went out to deliberate at 9:37am. After they left, the judge addressed a motion that a coalition of media groups (including BuzzFeed) filed seeking info on jurors and to unseal various sealed docs/transcripts. Here's the motion: https://t.co/YSgMXtoEfp pic.twitter.com/BYx2d2sHGF
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) August 17, 2018
The judge granted the media's motion to intervene to argue for access, and said he'd try to hold a hearing this afternoon on the substance of the request. The judge said he plans to release sealed materials at the end of the case, with "one exception" (didn't say what that was)
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) August 17, 2018
The judge said he didn't have hard feelings towards the media for arguing for access. "A thirsty press is essential to a free country."
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) August 17, 2018
At one point, prosecutor Greg Andres said that given the different categories of info the media wanted unsealed, it would be better to address some issues at the bench. The judge did so — thus creating another sealed transcript, he noted.
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) August 17, 2018
***
Update:
'GOOD CALL': Judge in Manafort trial SHUTS DOWN media outlets' creepy request https://t.co/1IHjg31IYk
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 17, 2018
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