‘Outrageous’ handcuffing of New Orleans journalist sends ‘chilling message,’ says media group
Summary
A New Orleans journalist and a lawyer were handcuffed while trying to cover a court case involving the state attorney general, Liz Murrill. A media rights group says this action was wrong and warns it could scare journalists and the public from exercising their rights to attend court hearings.Key Facts
- Journalist Danny Monteverde and lawyer Elana Beiser were handcuffed in July at a New Orleans courthouse.
- They were covering the indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a case later dismissed.
- The courtroom was closed by judge Leon Roche during the grand jury indictment, sparking protests.
- A media group, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), called the handcuffing "outrageous."
- RCFP says the closure lacked proper justification and called for respecting public and press access to courts.
- The judge said the closure was to protect grand jurors’ safety and privacy.
- RCFP offered training to courthouse staff on legal rights related to court access.
- The case involved political conflict between Louisiana Republicans and New Orleans Democrats over local office positions.
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