Episode 13: An Unauthorized Disclosure

“Hear ye! Hear ye! All rise,” the bailiff intoned as all stood within the courtroom. “The Fifth District Court in and for our great Commonwealth, the Honorable Jordan Connor presiding. God save this state and this honorable court. The case of the State versus Michael Philip Andrews. All those with business before this court draw near; you will be heard.”

The judge walked into the courtroom and took his seat. He cleared his throat and looked grimly at the court. “I have a very serious matter to speak of.

“I prepared my opinion in this case, last night, and I updated and finalized it on my laptop computer during the lunch recess. Since Professor Travis has nothing to add, I am prepared to let that opinion stand and issue my ruling. I left my laptop and a flash drive with my decision with my clerk, a very reputable and trustworthy woman with whom I have worked for many years. I left her with the instruction that no living person know anything as to the conclusions I had reached until I had begun to read my opinion from the bench. I have not intimated to any living soul what my opinion was, and she confirmed to me just before I began this afternoon’s session that no one else had access to my decision.”

The judge took a deep breath. “I am informed that multiple networks, newspapers, and online sources are currently purporting to tell the public what my opinion is. Any person that sent out any such information as that, sent it out without the authority of this court, and if I find that they have corruptly secured said information I shall deal with them as the law directs.

“Now on account of this improper conduct of some person or persons, I want the crowd cleared from the courtroom, and I want all the members of the press to meet me in this courtroom. I want to talk with them about this matter.”

“Does your honor,” the district attorney asked, “want the attorneys on either side to remain?”

“Yes, sir,” the judge confirmed, “The attorneys on both sides, and the defendant may remain.” The judge nodded to the bailiff.

“Clear the court!” the bailiff ordered. “Clear the court, except for the press!”

“Front and center, ladies and gentlemen of the press,” the judge commanded them to stand before him.

“I have information from multiple sources,” the judge explained, “which undertake to state what my action was on the motion that is pending before me.”

“Might it be merely a deduction, your honor?” the district attorney asked.

“I understand,” the judge replied, “it purports to be inside information. I want the source, and I want it now.”

“We cannot reveal our sources,” a reporter replied piously.

“You can and will reveal your source,” the judge demanded, “because it came from somewhere, and if I don’t get satisfactory answers the lot of you will be spending the rest of the trial in custody for contempt of court. I see you reported on this ‘insider information.’ Now where did you get your information from?”

The reporter pointed to his British colleague.

“Where did YOU hear this insider information?” the judge demanded.

The British journalist swallowed and pointed to the conservative podcaster.

“So. Where did YOU hear this insider information?” the judge demanded yet again.

The conservative podcaster pointed to the young videocaster.

“Your honor,” the Zoomcaster raised his hand. “That was my exclusive scoop. I can assure your honor, it was based upon information which I had reason to believe was correct and truthful, and I did not obtain this information from your honor’s clerk, or in any improper or unethical manner.”

“I think this court is entitled to know how this information was had,” the judge glared at the Zoomcaster.

“Perhaps we should talk in private, in your chambers, your honor?” the Zoomcaster suggested.

“Anything that I have said in court, or any ruling I make goes straight to the public and the press,” the judge explained. “I have an honest purpose in making this inquiry, to protect the integrity of this court, and I want to be completely transparent about it, in front of you and in front of the rest of the press. So, tell me, young man, how did you get this information you reported?”

“Well, your honor,” the Zoomcaster replied in obvious discomfort, “your honor will recall I asked to speak with you after the session this morning, and you said ‘not today.’ I asked to visit your chambers to speak with you tomorrow, and you declined saying you ‘couldn’t speak to me until the trial was over.’ I inferred that meant the trial would continue tomorrow, which strongly suggested you weren’t going to dismiss the charges today.”

Senator Castillo and the district attorney looked shocked. Senator Travis had a blank expression on his face. Dr. Andrews covered his mouth with a hand to hide an involuntary grin. Some members of the press were less courteous, and murmuring and some chuckles began to fill the courtroom.

Judge Connor banged his gavel for silence and took a deep breath. “I want to be fair to all the press and to put you all on the same even basis,” he explained. “I think it is proper for me to suggest that you be as courteous to me as I am trying to be to you.”

He glared at the Zoomcaster.

“And if you want information, ask me directly and I will give you a direct answer. If I want to give you information, I will. If it is not proper, I will not. But I PREFER that if you want to ask me a question, you should PUT ME ON NOTICE as to the information you want rather than try to TRICK me or TAKE ADVANTAGE of me.”

“Yes, your honor,” the chastened Zoomcaster replied.

The judge shook his head. “You may all be excused. We will resume after a fifteen-minute recess.”

The judge left the courtroom.

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