I have several questions?
1. how will this affect closing statements.
2. if the defense had some super secret witness to something about Travis, wouldn't they have brought him/her into play during the actual guilt trial?
3. is it possible this is the person the defense claimed was afraid of threats to their life?
Good questions. JMO and Ill take a shot at them.
1-The affect on closing was what I bet the judge did not even consider. This decision could have very serious effects on this whole trial now.
I think it was wrong in the first place to not allow videos just like the first trial. Why do things differently and give the defense an argument that the 1st trial should not have had videos either. The judge could have/should have allowed video of the trial just like first phase because of the public's interest in the case. Public has a right to see the trial and video is not different than being present in a seat IMO.
Its only the jury that has to be directed to avoid media and discussions about the case.
Again, no different than other trials, so it should not be treated differently.
Judge could have sequestered the jury if she was so worried about stuff. Instead, she is sequestering the public.
2-Right, which is why I think the witness will be totally lying on the stand. Which is why it is even more important that the public gets to hear what is being said. Someone in the public may recognize they are lying and have PROOF of it being a lie.
Without being able to see or hear, the public is not able to uncover what could be outright lies from witness. And which could have resulted in perjury charges against the lying witness.
3-Yes, its possible. Although I think those "threats" were probably nothing more than internet gossip that the defense was trying to make a big deal over. Heck, I think Jodi herself threatened Juan's life according to a jail mate of Jodis if I am not mistaken.