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As I write this morning, lawyers, solicitors and one judge are weighing nine pre-trial motions in the Timothy Wick murder trial.
Wick will stand trial next month for the murder of Beaufort resident Jeanne Welden, known as "the angel lady" for her willingness to help out just about anyone who needed it, including Wick.
Wick has been charged with murder for allegedly sexually assaulting and strangling Beaufort resident Welden during a burglary.
He could face death if convicted.
The motions include including a change-of-venue request, a restriction onrecording devices in the courtroom and an order prohibiting state employees or the victim’s family from talking with the media.
Obviously, being the local media, these motions are troubling to us. A change of venue will make our job of covering the trial tougher; but restricting recording devices and gagging the victim's family take away our first amendment rights to cover the news freely, but more, they take away your rights.
So, we will fight any motions that look to squelch those rights, because it's been a very tough fight to gain access into courtrooms so that we can share public information with the public, and we won't tolerate losing ground.
The hearing is in its first hour, and as soon as we know the outcome, log on to our homepage and check out the developing news bar atop the page.
It is our hope that photographs will accompany the story tonight, and those in the murder trial and in future cases.
CK Passante
Managing Editor
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...with the exception of the defense lawyers and one or two other people connected with this case.
Thanks for fighting for us! Were waiting for updates.
...and Thank you to the Beaufort Gazette for fighting for our rights as well.
The judge ruled today that the media will be able to electronically record the Timothy Wick murder trial — with two caveats:
1. We can't shoot the defendant's table. Apparently, they don't want our high-powered lenses reading the defendant's attorney's notes (aren't those public records anyway? We sure as heck can get the court transcripts each day); and
2. We cannot talk with the victim's family until the trial has started.
While these motions won't prohibit good reporting, every little bit adds up to our rights being eroded, and somewhat arbitrarily. If the evidence is good, then why would the defense worry?
"Speculation, your honor."
Perhaps.
There will be an official update posted to the homepage in minutes.
CK Passante
Managing editor
While I am saddened at some choices I am very happy that for now, the case is staying home.
Thank you guys for making sure someone is in there to tell the community what is going on. We really appreciate it.