Media, public asked to leave hearing connected to judge’s shooting
Public shut out of pretrial hearing Friday for Thomas Moss, one of four charged the attempted murder of Judge Steve Meyer, as sides discuss ‘very contained topic’ judge says could affect jury pool.
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MEDIA, PUBLIC ASKED TO LEAVE HEARING CONNECTED TO JUDGE’S SHOOTING
A pretrial hearing for Thomas Moss, a Lafayette man at the center of an alleged plot that included the Jan. 18 attempted murder of Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer, was closed to the public Friday morning to discuss what a judge said was a “very contained topic” that could affect the potential jury pool.
Cass County Superior Court Judge Lisa Swaim asked media and other public to log out of a Friday morning hearing over Zoom, after Moss’ attorney and a deputy prosecutor agreed that the matter – not identified on the public-facing docket, specifically referenced in court or identified as whether presented by the prosecution or the defense – was best discussed in a closed session.
“I don’t talk about this even lightly in any way, shape or form,” Swaim said before asking anyone other than Moss or the attorneys to leave a video session in her Cass County courtroom.
“I believe the public has a right to know and right to see all of the aspects of a public trial like this,” Swaim said. “But I’m also very careful about the administration of justice, in terms of anything that might affect the possible venire.”
Deputy prosecutor Elyse Madigan said the substance likely will “become more public down the line.” Moss’ attorney, Mike Cunningham, after speaking privately with Madigan by phone, said the matter could affect his ability to represent Moss.
Swaim pointed to two cases as precedent for closing the hearing.
