LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – A Louisville judge Tuesday declined an attorney’s request to severely limit media coverage of next week’s trial for the man accused of drunkenly crashing into a Kansas family on a downtown sidewalk in 2022, killing one and injuring two others.
Defense attorney Jordan Potts asked Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Annie O’Connell to exclude both still and video photographers as well as any microphones to ensure jurors and witnesses are not prejudiced in the Michael Hurley murder trial.
“When a jury is coming in here, I believe it’s prejudicial for them to make a decision on whether Mr. Hurley is guilty or not guilty … when they are sitting here in a courtroom looking at a TV camera” showing them this is not just a “normal case,” Potts said. “Well, obviously the media is here so that means it’s obviously something he is guilty of.”
Potts noted that reporters would still be able to take notes and report on the case.
No media outlets objected to the request.
However, the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office objected to the motion, arguing the court should be open to the media, and jurors will be questioned before the trial as to whether they have been biased by media coverage.
Judge O’Connell said it is typical to allow one television camera as a pool reporter for the rest of the media outlets to share.
“If it is disruptive, I will consider taking this up again and consider placing some limits on it,” she said Tuesday. “But as for prejudice for Mr. Hurley, I routinely advise jurors and admonish them not to follow the media, not to look at the media as soon as we begin jury selection.”
Hurley admitted to doing drugs before hitting a Kansas family with his car at 2nd and Market streets on July 5, 2022.
The family he hit had traveled to Louisville for their 17-year-old’s basketball tournament. The father, 42-year-old Trey Jones, died shortly after being struck. His wife, Amy, and daughter, Ava, were seriously hurt and were in town for weeks in rehab in Louisville.
Hurley is accused of taking hydrocodone, veering off the road and hitting the family of four as they were on the sidewalk downtown.
Hurley faces charges of Murder, Assault and Driving Under the Influence. He faces up to 70 years in prison.
The trial is scheduled to being with jury selection on Oct. 7.
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