State v. Bennett

Toal, Justice:

These appeals arise from the trial court’s orders allowing representatives of the county council to participate in and members of the press to attend an ex parte hearings held pursuant to provisions of our death penalty statute to determine the reasonableness and necessity of investigative and expert services required for both petitioners’ death penalty defenses. In both appeals, the facts are similar, the trial judge is the same and the questions presented are identical; therefore, we consolidate the appeals and REVERSE the trial court’s orders.

FACTS

Bennett Appeal

Petitioner,…