By Emma Delk, The Intelligencer
MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. — The bond and pretrial hearing for State Sen. Michael Maroney for charges of indecent exposure and driving under the influence was stayed Wednesday after Maroney’s defense counsel appealed Marshall County Magistrate Zachary Allman’s decision to allow media in the courtroom.
Allman allowed media in the courtroom for Wednesday’s scheduled hearing based on West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8.02, “Procedure to Obtain Permission.” The rule allows the presiding officer, based upon requests made by a party or any other person at least one day in advance of the proceedings, to decide whether to allow camera and/or audio coverage of proceedings in and around the courtroom in a given case.
Per rule 8.02, a party, witness or counsel may object to such coverage of any case or of any portion of the proceedings, and the presiding officer shall rule upon such an objection.
Maroney objected to the media in the courtroom. Defense attorney Harry Moore asked for Allman’s decision to allow media in the courtroom to be appealed to the circuit court and the proceedings for Wednesday’s hearing be stayed. Allman granted Moore’s appeal.
The case will remain stayed until the circuit court judge decides whether media is allowed in the West Virginia magistrate court room.
