TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist plans to ask the full U.S. Supreme Court to block media access to certain trial evidence, but it could be a moot issue in regard to crime scene photos and videotapes used to convict 11-year-old Carlie Brucia's killer.
Circuit Judge Andrew Owens has agreed to let reporters view the pictures and tapes today, said Toni Whitt, city editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune , which sued to gain access to the material.
The Tampa Tribune , Bradenton Herald and WFLA-TV-Ch. 8 in Tampa also participated in the suit. It resulted in a ruling by the 2nd District Court of Appeal that overturned Owens' order blocking media access. Media representatives can examine the material, but not publish or broadcast it.
The Florida Supreme Court turned down Crist's appeal of the 2nd District decision Wednesday, and within hours, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy also rejected his request for an order to block the viewing.
The 2nd District judges rejected Crist's argument that the trial evidence was covered by a state law passed in 2001 to block media and public access to autopsy photos in the possession of medical examiners.
