Judge agrees to order barring online broadcast of trial involving alleged child abuse; status date set for May 19

Judge David D. Wolfe said he would sign an agreed order to exclude online broadcasting of a criminal trial that involves alleged abuse of a child after defense counsel asked for another status date because several people in the defense office were ill.

The request for a continuance was made early in the docket. Defense counsel said a colleague, "Judge Mister Brown, reached out to me, first thing this morning to let me know that he was very sick and everyone in his office was very sick and would I please ask the court for another status date?" The judge responded that he would set a status date for May 19 and said the case remained scheduled for a March trial date.

Defense counsel and the state told the court they had drafted an agreed order to exclude online broadcasting of the trial and sentencing because the proceedings involve a minor. The judge said, "involves the abuse of a child. We don't put that out there in the Internet. Alright. I'll sign that order, and we'll leave it set for trial March." The court also noted it had received the drafted order and that it would be signed.

Separately, defense counsel asked for permission to have an out-of-state expert witness testify by videoconference. The judge warned counsel that a new rule governs out-of-state witnesses appearing by Zoom and said such witnesses must certify to the court's jurisdiction and comply with the court's requirements for remote testimony. The judge directed counsel to check the rule and to work with the court assistant on logistics for the Zoom link.

The court did not take a final ruling beyond agreeing to sign the drafted order excluding online broadcast and setting the earlier-noted dates; it left further procedural matters (such as the expert's compliance with remote-witness requirements) to be completed before trial.