D.A. Tries To Silence Defense Attorneys

Baldwin County John Beck Baldwin County District Attorney wants defense lawyers to sign agreement prohibiting them from talking to media sharing certain information in criminal cases

by Pat Peterson

Published: Thu, May 08, 2008 - 4:11 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 10:04 pm CST

"I'm not signing it," says John Beck. "The district attorney always shares information and talks to reporters about criminal cases, why can't the defense tell their side of the story?"

Fairhope attorney John Beck says he's concerned about a nondisclosure agreement given to him and other defense attorneys by the Baldwin County District Attorney's Office. The agreement states attorneys can't release certain items of discovery in a criminal case to outside parties, including the media. The document also states defense attorneys should not publish or broadcast certain items of discovery.

Beck, who represents capital murder suspect Eric Buzbee, says he was told to sign the agreement after he talked to News 5 about his client and provided WKRG certain materials involving the death of gas station owner Bobby Wilson.

"This is basically a gag order," says Beck. "She has no right or authority to do this. If she's concerned about a specific issue or has a problem, she should ask a judge for a special order or go to Montgomery and ask for legislation."

Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb says the nondisclosure agreement is not meant to silence defense attorneys. Newcomb says the agreement is a way to protect all parties involved in a criminal case.

"We are bound ethically and morally to do this," says Newcomb. "It's always been my policy to not release non-public items in every case, and it should be their policy as well."

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asda Says:

Mon, May 12, 2008 at 2:06 pm

I think they are doing this so the public can not be so outraged at the deals they are making. Letting some plead youthful offender when they killed someone?

curiousone Says:

Mon, May 12, 2008 at 7:19 am

if the public wants to know every detail, let them attend the trial. Some evidence has to be kept private. The media can damage the evidence by making it public, then a killer goes free. I think a change of venue is what the lawyer is after. That is what he gets paid for.

justme Says:

Thu, May 08, 2008 at 7:38 pm

Another example of a Little Wheel Thinking it’s a Big Wheel. We the public have the Right to have All the Information, not like in a court room where you can have information that is needed, can be kept secret so no one has all the facts.