Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9411170003
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Superior Court Judge Lance Ito denied the defense requests, turning aside arguments that the unusual amount of publicity in the case required a change of course.
Earlier, Ito released letters asking three broadcasters to delay interviews with Faye Resnick, whose book, ``Nicole Brown Simpson: The Private Diary of a Life Interrupted,'' alleges that Simpson stalked and threatened his ex-wife.
CNN agreed to delay broadcast of its Larry King interview, but CBS and Maury Povich said they would go ahead with their interviews as scheduled.
In arguing against the defense motion for a trail delay and bail, Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark warned that Simpson could flee, saying, ``If he is not here, there is no trial.''
She said Simpson had a disguise and $7,000 to $8,000 with him June 17, when he led police on a slow-speed chase before surrendering. It was the first time prosecutors confirmed reports that Simpson had several thousand dollars with him when he surrendered.
During a closed-door session earlier Wednesday, Simpson told the judge he ``took umbrage'' with the suggestion he was fleeing, defense attorney Johnnie Cochran said.
In letters to the broadcasters, Ito also suggested for the first time he will sequester jurors for at least part of the trial to shield them from the intense publicity.
The judge suspended jury selection Tuesday because of the release of Resnick's book, which he said threatens Simpson's right to a fair trial.
In the letters, Ito asked Connie Chung of CBS, King and Povich to withhold broadcast of their interviews with Resnick, a friend of Nicole Brown Simpson's.
``I hope you will find it in your conscience, corporate and otherwise, to cooperate with this request and delay this program's broadcast until after the jury in this case has been selected and sequestered,'' the judge wrote.
CNN said it would delay the ``Larry King Live'' segments with Resnick and co-author Mike Walker, scheduled for broadcast today and Oct. 26.
CBS News President Eric Ober sent Ito a letter saying the network believes Chung's interview, scheduled to air today, is ``fully consistent with responsible journalism.''
Povich said he believes the broadcast of his interview as planned Friday ``has no detrimental effect to picking a fair jury.''
by CNB