JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Mississippi's chief legal officer says the Governor may not have followed the letter of the law with the stunning number of pardons and clemencies granted. Attorney General Jim Hood was granted an injunction to stop the process Wednesday. Thursday there was a new twist to that hearing.
Some members of the media are questioning the Hinds County Circuit Judge's decision to close the courtroom during a public hearing Wednesday on this very matter.
The courtroom was off limits to some reporters as Attorney General Jim Hood argued for an injunction to stop the release of many pardoned by Governor Barbour. Some members of the press were not allowed into Judge Tomie Green's courtroom.
At 5 p.m. WLBT's chief news photographer was told he had to leave the courthouse because it was closing time.
Experts say there are a number of legal safeguards to protect First Amendment rights.
According to First Amendment rights lawyer Leonard Van Slyke, "If the procedures weren't followed then that was a violation of the law as it's been articulated by the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1990, so that's been on the books for sometime. As long as the hearing is proceeding, and it was, a member of the public whether it's a news reporter or just an interested member of the public must be allowed to stay in the courtroom subject to the procedures so that you should not be asked to leave the courthouse if the hearing is proceeding."
An Associated Press reporter and reporter for Mississippi Public Broadcasting were not allowed inside the hearing. Our call to Judge Tomie Green was not returned
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