• 55°
franklin county times

All aspects of trials should be public

By Staff
Aug. 8, 2001
The defendant in a local murder case, extradited from Louisiana last week to the Lauderdale County jail, was allowed to enter a plea Monday in the privacy of the circuit judge's chambers as supporters, friends and family members waited in the courtroom for the hearing to begin.
Circuit Judge Larry Roberts said it is not uncommon to arraign defendants in chambers.
The problem here is that, unlike most cases, there were members of the public present in the courtroom who wanted to witness the proceeding. Three people came to support Peggy Sloan Starns, indicted for murder in the 1984 death of Angela Schnoor.
The victim's parents, now divorced, were present in the courtroom. Her sister was there, as was her mom's fianc. The special assistant attorney general who led the re-investigation of Angela Schnoor's death was present, having presumably driven from Jackson to witness the arraignment.
The judge's chambers are not accessible to the general public, and it is not a good idea to keep private a part of the judicial process that citizens have a right to see especially if they're in the courtroom waiting to see it.
Why this particular defendant was accorded such treatment has not been adequately explained. We can think of no legitimate reason why her desire for privacy should outweigh the constitutional right of the public to view the proceeding. We believe Judge Larry Roberts owes the public a better explanation.

News

Phil Campbell City Council considers bids

News

Red Bay celebrates Arbor Day by remembering longtime Garden Club member

Franklin County

Strong winds cause damage, outages in Russellville

Franklin County

FCBOE approves school calendar, bids, personnel matters

News

RCS BOE approves bids for new high school sign, RES playground equipment

Franklin County

Kicks for Kids gets Philanthropic Activity of Year nomination

News

Russellville approves Sloss Lake stage construction

Franklin County

John Blackwell: Ballfield complex commemorates former teacher, mayor

Franklin County

Documentary participation fails for lack of consensus

News

Miss RHS Pageant names winners in numerous categories

Franklin County

County hears broadband feasibility study

Franklin County

Red Bay considers amending animal ordinance

Features

A vision for Russellville: Downtown Collective forms, Aspiring to next level for city

Galleries

41st Annual Miss RHS Pageant takes stage March 3

Franklin County

Franklin County students compete in annual cook-off

News

Chucky Mullins committee plans golf, youth sports, remembrance events

Franklin County

Ralph Bishop: Rec center name emphasizes former mayor’s commitment to community

Franklin County

Lack of buy-in quells documentary participation

News

Gusts shatter library window

Franklin County

Forestry commission gives out free trees March 2-3

News

RB council works toward new garbage collection system

Franklin County

Tharptown senior signs with Army

Franklin County

BTCPA to host auditions for final show of season

News

REB renews line of credit, reports on blackout

x