Court describes view of media coverage

In his comments to the attorneys, Judge Joseph C. Teresi warned that comments in the media could harm a trial by prejudicing the jury pool.

Emphasizing that his decision to silence the lawyers was "not [to] be construed as limiting the public's right to know" and applies "solely to the attorneys," he said: "The Court is very much attune[d] to the fact that many people believe as the absolute truth what is reported in the media, while, in fact, media reports consist of fact, opinion, surmise, speculation, theory and editorializing, sometimes in combination and sometimes separately."

The court also asserted its responsibility "to limit rumor, gossip and innuendo in this small community for those that may be parties' witnesses and jurors in this case." (JB)