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Court Cameras Help Locate Missing Evidence

More Cameras May Be Placed In State's Courtrooms

POSTED: 6:12 pm EDT April 19, 2007
UPDATED: 6:34 pm EDT April 19, 2007

A piece of evidence that disappeared during Michael Skakel's appeal for a new trial Wednesday was discovered by a court clerk who was watching television.

The clerk, who was watching the trial on TV, saw a witness inadvertently pocket the evidence.

"The camera helped us solve that," said Justice David Borden.

Cameras are being allowed in the courtroom for Skakel's appeal for a new trial after being convicted in 2002 of killing Martha Moxley, 15, in Greenwich in 1975. He is serving a prison term of 20 years to life.

The appeal marks the first time in recent memory that cameras have been allowed in the courtroom.

More cameras may be seen in Connecticut's courtrooms beginning June 1 after a new presumption passed in the state's Supreme Court.

The presumption states that trials can now be televised.

There are exceptions to the rule, including trials involving sexual assault, custody cases or children.

Borden said that increasing acceptability may have been long-delayed because of the O.J. Simpson trial.

He said that he hopes allowing the public to look inside the courtroom will educate and inform viewers. He said he also hopes it will help people to build a trust with the justice system.

Until June 1, judges can decide whether to allow cameras in their courtroom.

Cameras will be allowed in a state Superior Court hearing for the first time in recent memory, under a judge's ruling concerning the case of Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel.

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