Legal Commentary

Charlie Sheen Hearing : Lottery For Media Slots, What's To See?

By Jeralyn

The Aspen Sheriff's Department and Aspen Police Department issued a press release to the media today with details for attending actor Charlie Sheen's hearing next Wednesday on his motion to modify the protective order precluding him from contacting his wife. (Prior coverage here.) They are holding a lottery for tickets and satellite trucks on Tuesday, due to the "significant media and community interest in the hearing" and the need for security and to protect the historic nature of the courthouse building. (It is really old.)

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Admittance to the Pitkin County Courthouse will be restricted, as follows: general access to the courthouse will be limited to those members of the public with a clearly defined business purpose with the courts, police, sheriff, assessors, or other county services; District Court access to Mr. Estevez’ hearing will be limited to 60 people; County Court access for other court proceedings will be limited to 35 people. Anyone admitted into the Courthouse should be prepared for security screenings. Any members of the public or press not permitted into the Courthouse should be prepared to wait outside.

I could see the interest if this was the preliminary hearing or trial, but a motion to modify a protective order? When the DA hasn't even decided yet whether to file charges? The judge wouldn't allow Sheen's lawyers to waive his presence so he will be there, as will his wife. The prosecutor doesn't object to a modification, they just want certain conditions met.

Sheen's Aspen Attorney, Richie Cummins (Disclosure: he's a long-time friend of mine) is seeking to have cameras banned from the courtroom:

"As intensely personal as this process is, (Sheen) accepts that his status as a celebrity comes with a level of scrutiny in his personal life. (He) understands that there will be media coverage of this case, and he does not seek to eliminate it.

"He does, however, seek to minimize its impact, so as to protect his right to a fair trial and to preserve for the alleged victim a modicum of privacy during this intensely painful and difficult time.

No charges will be read. No plea will be entered. No schedule of future hearings on the substantive issue of the case will be discussed or decided. “There is little of interest that will be discussed except on the most voyeuristic level.

This is not a reality show. This is a serious proceeding involving two human beings, one of whom happens to be a celebrity. Even without a live feed from the courtroom, it is still likely that all future proceedings in this case will spawn a media frenzy."

Great writing. Hope the judge agrees.

And is anyone surprised Gloria Allred has found a way to insinuate herself into the case? Gloria represented someone Sheen assaulted 13 years ago. She wants the Aspen judge to deny the modification of the protective order based on the 13 year old assault charge.

I think the media is misjudging the continued interest in this case. It made news during a slow New Year's weekend and because it was Aspen. Since then we've had the Underpants Bomber, Yemen and Haiti. Charlie Sheen, celebrity or not, is such small potatoes.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 16, 2010 (boomark / email).