State Ex Rel. Bennett v. Keadle

BROTHERTON, Justice:

Due to recent technological advances and diminished equipment costs, videotaped depositions have become a familiar component of pretrial practice in this State. Until now, however, this Court has not had occasion to address the extent of a trial judge’s discretion in formulating an order in this area. In this case, we grant a writ of mandamus directing the Circuit Court of Upshur County to amend an order allowing videotaped depositions, and in so doing set out some general guidelines. 1

The petitioner, Orin Bruce Bennett, filed suit in the Circuit Court of Upshur County,…