By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com—
MUNCIE, Ind.—What a difference a day makes.
November 30, 2021 and earlier—Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17 holds that, “(e)xcept with prior approval of the Indiana Supreme Court, a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recession between sessions …,” with exceptions.
December 1, 2021—Judges in five Indiana courtrooms allow news media to use cameras and recorders under a four month pilot project announced by the Indiana Supreme Court, the Hoosier State Press Association, and the Indiana Broadcasters Association.
The five Indiana courtrooms included:
- Allen Superior Court, Criminal Judge Frances Gull
- Delaware Circuit Court 1, Judge Marianne Vorhees
- Lake Superior Court, Civil 7, Judge Bruce Parent
- Tippecanoe Circuit Court, Judge Sean Persin
- Vanderburgh Superior Court, Judge Leslie Shively
Dan Byron is General Counsel for the Indiana Broadcasters Association. Dan commented, “I and our members have been seeking cameras in our trial courts since at least 1998. We had a four month pilot project starting Dec. 1, 2021, and ending March 31, 2022. During those 4 months we filmed jury trials, and all sorts of other hearings. During April of 2022, the staff attorneys for the Indiana Supreme Court had participating jurors, judges and attorneys complete their individual evaluations of the trial project for the Court.
“The staff attorneys in their overall evaluation declared that a review of all the evaluations led to the conclusion that they were “predominantly positive” and submitted it to the Court with a recommendation that cameras in the Indiana trial courts be allowed. I anticipate that the Court will do so, and are likely working on some few exactions like undercover police and minors as we speak. Look for something positive by October if not sooner.”
Woof Boom Radio news director Steve Lindell and I had the opportunity to cover a trial under the new pilot project during a case involving a young man (Shane Shumate) charged with attempted murder of a Delaware County Sheriff’s deputy. Lindell covered a portion of the trial and I covered the sentencing hearing in Delaware Circuit Court 1, with Judge Marianne Vorhees presiding.
“What we would like you to listen to, is the audio interview below where Steve and I both discuss what it was like to have the opportunity to cover portions of this trial. The audio interview below is 16 minutes in length.”—Mike Rhodes
Ball State Connection
I received my Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ball State University. When I attended Ball State, one of my professors was Joesph Costa. Costa was one of the NPPA’s (National Press Photographers Association) founders in 1946 when he served as its president. He was also chairman of the board of directors for many years. Costa was a strong advocate for cameras in courts. He led a crusade to get photographic access to courtrooms on an equal footing with reporters.
Part of a Ball State Journalism project displaying Joe Costa’s photographs. Photo by Julie Metzger
A New York newspaper photographer for most of his four-decade career, Costa retired in 1985 after teaching journalism at Ball State University. Costa continued his courtroom camera crusade in Indiana while teaching. That’s where I met him. If my memory serves me correct, I took two classes with Mr. Costa: Introduction to Photojournalism and then later, Advanced Photojournalism. I am proud to say that I received an “A” in both of my classes with Joe.
I remember when we presented our class photos for critique by Costa, we always had to mount our photos on 11×14 black mat board. We would stand up, explain the “worthiness” of the photo and then Costa would critique the photo in front of the rest of the class. He was very precise and fair in dealing with our images.
Joe Costa and other New York photographers talk with famous columnist Walter Winchell, circa 1938. Printed by Dick Ware from a negative supplied by Joe Costa. Costa is second from the left. Photo provided by Sheryl Swingley
I thought of Joe a lot during the time I took my cameras into the courtroom. I think he would have been proud of the work Steve Lindell and I did during our time in court and we were both honored to be there.
Ball State University still sponsors the annual Joseph Costa Courtroom Photography Award.
Finally, here are the links to our coverage during the pilot program.
Steve Lindell covers a portion of the trial. His coverage can be found here.
Mike Rhodes covered the sentencing hearing. His coverage can be found here.
Additional links about Joseph Costa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Costa_(photographer)
https://library.syr.edu/digital/guides/print/costa_j_prt.htm
