People v. Lawrence

Intervenor Booth Newspapers, doing business as The Grand Rapids Press, appeals by leave granted from a circuit court order that barred the public and the press from attending jury voir dire in the underlying criminal case. We reverse that order.

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One week before trial, the trial judge in the underlying criminal case notified the parties’ attorneys and the circuit court administrator that he intended to close jury selection to the press and the public. On the morning of jury selection, a sign was posted on the courtroom door stating that only jurors would be allowed in the courtroom and that…