SUFFOLK, Va. (AP) - A judge has ruled that reporters should have had access to a state lawmaker’s criminal court hearing last year.
Retired Judge Louis Lerner ruled Monday that a Suffolk Circuit Court failed to follow procedural standards at a hearing for the domestic abuse case against Del. Rick Morris.
The Virginian-Pilot reported (https://bit.ly/2riziom) that it and other news organizations can now buy a transcript of the hearing. But it’s unclear if reporters can attend Morris’ trial in August.
During the hearing in December, Judge Robert S. Brewbaker Jr. had certified a felony charge of cruelty and injuries to children. But he dismissed six other felony charges against Morris.
Morris is a Republican who represents parts of Suffolk and Franklin, and parts of Isle of Wight, Prince George, Southampton, Surry and Sussex counties.
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