Prosecutors are asking to have video cameras removed from the courtroom during the upcoming YSL RICO trial for safety concerns.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis recently filed a motion requesting Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville to ban cameras from the trial. Willis claims that doing this will help protect the identities of the witnesses testifying.
“Several witnesses have expressed safety concerns to the State, and they are concerned about the safety of themselves and their families should they choose to testify,” the motion says. “The State is concerned that video recordings of witnesses’ and victims’ faces could endanger these individuals’ safety.”
Willis’s motion added that the presence of video cameras could potentially hinder the witnesses from providing truthful testimonies.
“The State is concerned about the impact upon due process and the truth-finding function of the judicial proceeding,” the motion continued. “Witnesses may be afraid to testify and provide full information if they are aware they are being video-recorded. And that their personal safety could be jeopardized as a result of their testimony.”
To bargain with the court, Willis did suggest permitting audio recordings so the public could still follow along with the trial.
“This Court has the discretion to determine whether or not to allow electronic and photographic coverage of the proceedings.”Willis added, “The State simply asks this Court to prohibit video recording of the trial, while permitting audio recordings so the process will remain open to the public.”
