SUFFOLK, Va. (AP) - Two Virginia newspapers are challenging a judge’s decision to bar media from attending a court hearing in a state lawmaker’s criminal case.
The Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot report that have appealed the judge’s order barring journalists from Del. Rick Morris’ hearing to the Suffolk Circuit Court.
During the hearing at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Thursday, Judge Robert S. Brewbaker Jr. dismissed six of seven felony charges against Morris. The lawmaker was accused of hitting a boy with a belt and wooden spoon, punching him and throwing a hose nozzle at him.
Brewbaker said media outlets weren’t allowed in the hearing because a key witness was a child.
The newspapers say a member of the public was allowed to attend at least part of the hearing, but not the media.
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