Great Falls Tribune v. District Court of Eighth Judicial District

The question before this Court is whether the District Court’s order closing to the press and public the individual voir dire examination of prospective jurors in a criminal case should be affirmed under the circumstances of this case. Our order of January 18, 1980, vacated the closure and directed the press and public be permitted to attend the voir dire examination with a written opinion to follow. This opinion constitutes the reasons for our decision.

Gene Andrew Austad was charged with two counts of deliberate homicide, robbery, sexual intercourse without consent, and aggravated burglary…