USA Today Co.’s Clarion Ledger Opens Mississippi Court Hearing in High-Profile Criminal Case

USA Today Co.’s Clarion Ledger prevailed in convincing a Jackson, Mississippi, court to reject closure of a preliminary hearing in the murder case of Tasia Fortune. Police alleged that the victim was killed in an apparent drug dispute before her body was hung from a tree. The prosecutor requested a closed hearing, with the defendant’s agreement. On short notice, Phelps submitted a brief on behalf of the newspaper, emphasizing the importance of public and press access to criminal proceedings under the First Amendment and Mississippi law. After hearing Phelps’ media lawyer Mark Fijman’s argument highlighting the alternatives to a secret proceeding, the court ruled the hearing would remain open. The court, prosecution and defense agreed to less restrictive measures to protect the police investigation, allowing not only the news media and concerned citizens to attend the hearing, but also the victim’s family.  

Mark Fijman, Annie Cleveland, Elana Beiser and Mary Ellen Roy represented USA Today Co.