Bombing trial will be viewable by closed-circuit television

Bombing trial will be viewable by closed-circuit television

05/06/96

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Closed circuit televising of the proceedings in the Oklahoma City bombing trial will be required under a provision of a law enacted by Congress in late April.

The federal law requires closed circuit televising of criminal trial proceedings where the venue of the trial has been changed from the state in which the case was initially brought to a location more than 350 miles from that site.

Viewing of the closed circuit transmission will be allowed by persons whom the court finds “have a compelling interest in doing so and are otherwise unable to do so by reason of the inconvenience and expense caused by the change of venue.”

“This bill recognizes that victims have a compelling interest in the trials of those accused of committing crimes against them,” said President Clinton at the signing of the bill.

The provision is a part of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. (Public Law 104-132)