Ex Parte the Island Packet

Moore, Justice:

This appeal is from a family court order denying appellants access to transcripts of two hearings held in a juvenile matter and closing a pending hearing in the same case. We reverse.

FACTS

Defendant Christopher F. was fifteen years old when he was charged in juvenile petitions with murdering his father and stepmother. A detention hearing, closed to the public, was held in family court on May 2, 1990. A transfer hearing, also closed to the public, was began May 18 in family court and continued to June . May 23, appellants (Newspapers) filed a request for access to the transfer…