Aug. 4, 2003

TO: Media Outlets FROM: Karen Salaz, Office of the State Court Administrator 303-837-3633, [email protected] 303-435-7164 (c) RE: Media update

Aug. 4-6 Media Logistics Meetings Media Logistics Meetings will be held by Eagle County, Mon-Wed, Aug. 4-6, 11 a.m., in the Media Services Center/Overflow Viewing Tent. The purpose of the meetings is to: * inform newcomers to the logistics, including parking, sets, media center services, contacts, etc. * share latest logistics info * troubleshoot new logistics issues

Future courtroom seating allocation plans As I have indicated to you in e-mails, phone conversations, voice mails and in the meeting we held on July 31, there has been an overwhelming demand by the media for seats in the courtroom. With a limit of only 22 seats available for the media, a plan will need to be developed to address the situation for the future.

I begin by reiterating that I would very much like to be eliminated from this discussion and have you decide amongst yourselves how best to allocate these seats. I do not, nor will I ever feel, that this is a role that I should fill on a long-term basis. There have been a number of ways in which seat assignments have been allocated in past trials where seats for the media were at a premium. These have included processes such as a lottery system and establishing media consortium. I know that many of you have been a part of those processes. I hope that you give these processes full consideration.

I also would like to reaffirm my commitment that no plan will be finalized until a diverse group has the opportunity to participate. The discussion on July 31 provided a platform for those present to express their desires for how they would like to have the seats apportioned. As I indicated to those present at that meeting, I am submitting the below recommendation for consideration on their behalf. I hope that this discussion will continue with others who will be covering the proceedings. I would also suggest that those of you who have voiced your concerns to me begin discussions with your colleagues.

The group gathered on July 31 came up with the following recommendation: 3-local papers, Denver Post, Denver Rocky Mountain News, Reuters, Associated Press, Clear Channel Radio, ESPN, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, FOX, KDVR, KCNC, KWGN, KUSA, KMGH, Extra/Celebrity Justice, Court TV and one reporter for whoever is the audio pool.

Aug. 6 proceeding Registration for the 22 with courtroom assignments: There will be a table at the entrance of the courthouse. You will need to check-in at 1:00 p.m. to pick up your pass and have your identification checked (press identification is optimal indicating news agency). Beginning at 3:00 p.m., those with passes will begin the security screening process to get into the courtroom. You will have your identification cross-checked with the check-in sheet.

Due to security considerations, we have slightly modified the procedure should there be any additional seats available in the public’s seating area. Thirty minutes prior to the proceeding on Aug. 6, the seats will be made available to members of the media by way of a lottery. We will probably know by 3:00 p.m. if any such seats exist. I will know on Tuesday whether there are additional seats for those assignments below split (national/local) available in the media section dependent upon tripod placement for the cameras.

The reason there have been slight modifications to the process is because we are trying to avoid lines in front of the front door hampering the ability of persons needing to conduct business in the courthouse that day.

As for the lottery, I have maintained a list of all those who have requested seats both via e-mail and phone -- those names will be on a numbered list. We will randomly select numbers and announce those names in the Media Service Center-Overflow Viewing Tent at 3:30 p.m. We hope that those whose agencies are included in the list of 22 below will yield to others who have no representatives in the courtroom.

Please, carefully review the Decorum Order prior to entering the screening area. Those members of the media and public holding a pass who are not seated by 3:45 p.m. may not be allowed into the courtroom. Their seating will be at the discretion of the security guards.

Many of the agencies below represent a broad range of individual news entities – make sure that one designee has been agreed upon prior to coming to pick up a pass. Those that I have received are noted below.

The public will be able to begin sign-in for the 26 available seats at 2:00 p.m. at the main entrance to the courthouse. We hope to have the media check-in completed prior to this time. The public will be required to register and show identification. This will be then be cross-checked at the door prior to the entrance to the security screening area. The security screening for the public will also begin at 3:00 p.m. We want to have all persons screened prior to 3:45 p.m. as we anticipate that is when the parties will begin arriving. The media, public and parties will be using the using the same entrance for security screening purposes.

All persons, media and the public, will be given an itemized list of items which will not be allowed into the courthouse. Hopefully this will expedite the security screening process as well.

The proceedings are expected to last no more than 10 minutes.

Passes will not be required in the Media Service Center-Overflow Viewing Tent on the courthouse lawn as we anticipate more than sufficient space is available. There will be a, 8-10 foot screen with four speakers to accommodate the group.

The pool in courtroom video camera is being handled by Court TV. All pool still cameras and outside video cameras are being coordinated by Ed Andrieski at Associated Press. Both are on the ground in Eagle getting things coordinated.

Media information e-mails I have set up an e-mail distribution list for the media. If you would like to be included on this list please send you contact information to [email protected]. If you received this announcement on your e-mail, you are already on the list.

Thank You Thank you for your support and patience as we work through these challenges. The following are the seat assignments for Aug. 6 as determined by random number selected by our building security guard.

Row 1: parties to action

Row 2, seats from aisle: 1 Vail Daily/Eagle Valley Enterprise, Randy Wyrick 2 ESPN 3 New York Times, Nick Madigan 4 AP wire service 5 USA Today 6 Washington Post, T.R. Reid 7 New York Post

Row 3, seats from aisle: 1 Bloomberg News 2 Rocky Mountain News 3 Vail Speak-Out 4 Denver Post 5 CBS (nat./local) 6 Court TV 7 Fox (nat./local)

Row 4, seats from aisle: 1 NBC (nat./local) 2 Los Angeles Times 3 KWGN (nat./local), Greg Nieto 4 Vail Trail 5 ABC (nat./local) 6 CNN, Adam Reiss 7 Reuters wire service

Row 4, seats from aisle: Standing: still photographer on tripod 1 Clear Channel Radio, Alex Stone 2 Soundman, Court TV, Mitchell Pietz 3, 4 Video camera tripod set-up, Court TV, Dennis Lynch