BRADENTON — The intense media coverage of the Thomas Fast murder trial has taken top billing this morning as proceedings in the case have begun.
Fast’s attorney Assistant Public Defender Franklin Roberts immediately objected to cameras from In Session, formerly courtTV, in the courtroom this morning. The media outlet was planning to cover the trial gavel to gavel this week.
Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith granted Roberts’ request that cameras be removed from the courtroom during jury selection, which is expected to go on all day. Smith said the cameras will be allowed in the courtroom once a jury has been chosen. Attorneys are spending most of the morning eliminating jurors who have said in questionaires they have previous knowledge of the case based on prior media coverage.
Fast is accused of killing and dismembering his stepmother Susan Fast in June 2007. Assistant State Attorney Art Brown said his trial should take about a week.
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