The Press & Richard Speck

"We don't want a reversal on this case, as we've had in the recent past, because of anything that's been published that is prejudicial to a fair trial." With these cautionary words to reporters. Illinois Judge Herbert Paschen prepared to preside over the trial of Richard Speck, the 25-year-old ex-seaman who is accused of the savage and systematic murders of eight young student nurses in Chicago last July. To head off what he thought might be sensational press coverage. Judge Paschen set down some unusually specific restrictions on what newsmen could do and print. In 14 carefully worded directives, reporters were forbidden to carry or use any kind of camera, tape recorder or other electronic equipment in the courthouse: to make courtroom sketches of anyone involved in the trial: to leave or enter the courtroom while the trial was in session: or to publish the names of any juror, whether empaneled or excused, until after the verdict. Witnesses, jurors, lawyers and anyone else officially connected with the trial were barred from giving out-of-court statements, and court stenographers were prohibited from making a copy of the record available to anyone but the prosecuting and defense attorneys. Finally, only 27 newsmen were accredited by the court and given reserved seats each day. Unaccustomed to such curbs, reporters and editors objected. The Chicago Tribune filed suit in Illinois Supreme Court to have the judge overruled, headlined its story: TRIBUNE FIGHTS COURT GAG. The rulese were a bit stiff--and in a few cases even silly. And after listening to the protests, Judge Paschen eased up on some points. The names of excused jurors could be printed, and a copy of the court record could be obtained each evening during the trial proper. As the selection of the jurors began last week in Peoria, it was also clear that reporters could leave and return during sessions as long as they did not stampede. After five days of effort, not a single juror had been empaneled., while 121 had been dismissed. Many objected to the death penalty, but the most frequent reason for rejection was the "clouding of impartial judgement" by pretrial publicity.

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