In re Memphis Publishing Co.

ON SECOND APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS

WALLER, J., for the court:

¶ 1. This case presents a conflict between two important principles: first, that the courtrooms of our state should be open to the public, and second, that minor children involved in the judicial process must be protected. In an effort to safeguard the legitimate interests supporting both principles, we grant extraordinary relief, but not to the full extent sought by the petitioner newspaper publisher.

¶ 2. The death of Crystal Wells, the mother of Travis Butler, in November 1999, resulted in considerable publicity in this…