A Jonesboro, Arkansas court house (Credit: Wikipedia)
An Arkansas TV reporter was found in contempt of court for tweeting during a murder trial, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported.
His punishment? He is to do a news report within 30 days about child safety.
KFSM’s managing editor Larry Henry tweeted May 20 the verdict of a local murder trial from the courtroom, breaking court guidelines against tweeting from court, according to the Democrat Gazette.
The bailiff, Danny Monjure, told the Democrat Gazette the judge suggested the news story as the reporter’s penalty. “He thought a story could promote awareness of child safety and it was a good way to handle it,” Monjure told the Democrat Gazette.
However, the station’s news director Bill Cummings told iMediaEthics by e-mail denied it was part of a “quid pro quo” and instead the station’s offer as part of an apology for an unintentional contempt violation. He wrote:
“KSFM did not, nor would we ever, relinquish control over our content or editorial process. In this case we did acknowledge that Mr. Henry unintentionally violated Judge Karren’s rules regarding tweeting in his courtroom. In additional to apologizing to the court, we deemed it appropriate to take a positive step and offer to do a story on children’s advocacy — a topic we have covered many times on 5NEWS. There was never any discussion with the court on content of that story nor was there any quid pro quo to avoid a fine or other action.
Below see some of Henry’s tweets about the case, including the May 20 tweet: “BREAKING Zachary Holly guilty of capital murder in 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman’s death” and other tweets about the verdict.
BREAKING Zachary Holly guilty of capital murder in 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman's death.
— Larry Henry (@5NEWSLarry) May 20, 2015
In addition to capital murder, Holly also found guilty of rape, kidnapping and residential burglary in death of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman.
— Larry Henry (@5NEWSLarry) May 20, 2015
Court in recess in Holly murder trial until 2:30 p.m., then sentencing phase starts. Holly guilty of capital murder, can get death.
— Larry Henry (@5NEWSLarry) May 20, 2015
Zachary Holly stood and faced the jury as Judge Karren read the guilty verdicts. He showed no emotion. Jury about to return for sentencing.
— Larry Henry (@5NEWSLarry) May 20, 2015
The judge for the trial, Circuit Judge Brad Karren, banned mobile devices and text communication.
“Karren issued an order before the trial stated that all cellphones, cameras and recording devices in the courtroom must be turned off during all proceedings in the case,” the Democrat Gazette reported. “Danny Monjure, Karren’s bailiff, said Tuesday the judge also made a point of saying he wouldn’t allow any tweeting or text messaging about the case from the courtroom.”
