Media lawyers urge unsealing Hawaii shooting video
HONOLULU (AP) — Lawyers for a Hawaii newspaper and a television station are urging a state judge to reconsider a ruling to seal surveillance footage in a murder case against a federal agent.
Lawyers for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now submitted a request arguing that the public can’t view information the defense and prosecution are characterizing in the case.
Circuit Judge Karen Ahn granted a prosecution request last month to seal the footage from the Waikiki McDonald’s where Christopher Deedy is accused of shooting and killing a Kailua man.
Ahn ruled releasing footage that will be widely viewed on the Internet could jeopardize a fair trial.
Media lawyers say that rationale would justify closing any filing in today’s digital age.
