State’s Attorney Objects to Media Coverage of Cop Turned Felon – Champaign, Illinois

After learning that University of Illinois Police Officer Jerald Sandage would be returning to court for new criminal charges (in addition to the felony official misconduct charges he was convicted of last year), Check CU sent a request to the Court for extended media coverage.

The News Gazette, WDWS Radio, WCIA, and Fox TV also sent requests to be permitted to bring cameras into the courtroom for the new trial.

Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz issued an objection to extended media coverage which focuses exclusively on the request by Check CU reporter Christopher Hansen, and which seems to be grounded in animosity instead of jurisprudence.

There are many problems with the objection issued by Rietz, not the least of which is a complete lack of responsible legal research. However, the simplest and most pertinent question may be, “how does the general public benefit from such an action by an elected official?”

Julia Rietz’s objection is provided below, along with one of the original media coordinator request that prompted Rietz’s objection.