May 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Terry J. San Filippo
Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts
805-756-1216; tsanfili@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly Panel to Present ‘Law and Media:
The Michael Jackson Case’ May 28

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Justices from California’s Court of Appeal and a Cal Poly media law professor will present opposing viewpoints in “The Law and the Media: The Michael Jackson Case,” a panel discussion from 2 to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, in Room 220 in the University Union.

Representing the California Court of Appeal, Second District, will be Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert, Associate Justice Paul H. Coffee, Associate Justice Steven J. Perren and Associate Justice Kenneth R. Yegan.

The justices will defend their decision not to overturn the trial court judge’s decision to seal the grand jury transcript, the search warrant affidavits and other court records. They will also discuss how not sealing such documents may compromise the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

Cal Poly journalism Professor John Soares will defend the public’s right to know.

A question-and-answer session will follow the panel discussion. The public is invited to the free presentation, sponsored by Cal Poly’s College of Liberal Arts and Political Science Department. No cell phones or backpacks will be allowed at the event.

For more information, contact Terry San Filippo in the College of Liberal Arts at 805-756-1216 or tsanfili@calpoly.edu or Political Science Professor Ron Den Otter at 805-756-6147 or rdenotte@calpoly.edu.

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