"It adds little to the administration of justice,"I will make sure to do an update tomorrow as to the outcome of the sentencing. Rosie
Winnipeg Free Press
WINNIPEG — A Manitoba judge nixed a bid by four
Winnipeg media outlets on Monday to place cameras in a courtroom for
Tuesday's sentencing of Graham James.
Judge Catherine Carlson said she had concerns about the late request by the Winnipeg Free
Press, CBC, CTV and Global. Cameras are not allowed in Manitoba's courts except in special circumstances, such as the swearing-in of a new judge.
The provincial court judge said while the media play a critical role in Canada's courts, that does not include the "extraordinary measure" of cameras to capture James' sentencing.
"It adds little to the administration of justice," Carlson said of the cameras. "This case is highly charged enough. It's not going to become a spectacle."
Carlson said her sentencing decision will be available in electronic form after the hearing for immediate posting on news websites for Canadians to read.
Media lawyer Bob Sokalski had argued Friday that having two cameras in the courtroom, for recorded and live Internet broadcast, would be a way for Canadians to see the what happens to the disgraced former hockey coach.
James is to be sentenced on two counts of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty in December to sexually assaulting former NHL star Theoren Fleury and Todd Holt, Fleury's younger cousin, while coaching them in junior hockey during the 1980s and early '90s.
James' lawyer Evan Roitenberg and the province's lawyer Heather Leonoff argued the media's request for the cameras was made too late to give it full consideration.
Roitenberg also said it would be an invasion of James' privacy as he's been the target of a death threat and wants to protect his face from being identified.
Judge Catherine Carlson said she had concerns about the late request by the Winnipeg Free
Press, CBC, CTV and Global. Cameras are not allowed in Manitoba's courts except in special circumstances, such as the swearing-in of a new judge.
The provincial court judge said while the media play a critical role in Canada's courts, that does not include the "extraordinary measure" of cameras to capture James' sentencing.
"It adds little to the administration of justice," Carlson said of the cameras. "This case is highly charged enough. It's not going to become a spectacle."
Carlson said her sentencing decision will be available in electronic form after the hearing for immediate posting on news websites for Canadians to read.
Media lawyer Bob Sokalski had argued Friday that having two cameras in the courtroom, for recorded and live Internet broadcast, would be a way for Canadians to see the what happens to the disgraced former hockey coach.
James is to be sentenced on two counts of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty in December to sexually assaulting former NHL star Theoren Fleury and Todd Holt, Fleury's younger cousin, while coaching them in junior hockey during the 1980s and early '90s.
James' lawyer Evan Roitenberg and the province's lawyer Heather Leonoff argued the media's request for the cameras was made too late to give it full consideration.
Roitenberg also said it would be an invasion of James' privacy as he's been the target of a death threat and wants to protect his face from being identified.
© Copyright (c) Winnipeg Free Press
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