Media circus?
Court TV can show Sprewell trial, judge rules
Posted: Tuesday July 21, 1998 09:56 AM
| |
Sprewell says that he doesn't want to be in the middle of a media circus AP |
WALNUT CREEK, California (AP) -- A judge ruled that Court TV can show
the reckless driving trial of Golden State Warrior Latrell
Sprewell, but the basketball star's lawyer said his client is
camera-shy. "He doesn't want to be the center of a media
circus," said lawyer Kurt Robinson. Sprewell is charged with
misdemeanor reckless driving causing injury. He allegedly swerved out of an
exit-only lane in Walnut Creek in March and hit the back of an Antioch
couple's car. Because the charge is a misdemeanor, Sprewell is
not required to be present at the trial. If convicted, he faces a maximum
sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Municipal
Court Judge Bruce Mills said Monday that state law requires that he grant
the request for showing the trial if there is no evidence that the
broadcast would impede the case. Although conceding that
Sprewell has made a living as a public figure, Robinson said the basketball
star is camera-shy when it comes to this particular case. "I don't care
who you are, when a TV camera is in your face you're not the same person,"
Robinson said. "He might now be unwilling to testify."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
