The media frenzy surrounding the trial of John Evander Couey -- the five-foot-four-inch man charged with kidnapping, raping, and killing nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford in 2005 -- continued yesterday.
During a break in jury selection Monday, Circuit Judge Ric Howard rejected a motion filed by the Miami Herald that sought to challenge the judicial order governing media protocol. Howard had previously ordered the clerk not to release names, addresses or any other identifying information concerning prospective or seated jurors, whis is not uncommon in high proifile trials. In most cases media can obtain jurors' names provided they agree not to publish them during the trial.
But yesterday the Herald sought permission to publish jurors' faces.
Howard not only denied the request, but in a two minute long rant also recommend the thirty-something -year-old, balding lawyer representing the newspaper attend a university course relating to the ins and outs of responsible conduct in prominent trials.
Jury selection will resume today and will likely last until Friday. --Joanne Green