Blogger banned from Jackson civil trial over photo
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has confiscated the phone of a spectator at the civil trial over Michael Jackson's death after he snapped a photo in a courthouse hallway that includes jurors hearing the case.
Bailiffs ordered William Wagener to return to court Thursday to learn whether a ban on him attending the trial will be permanent.
Wagener says he inadvertently snapped the photo Wednesday while riding a courthouse escalator.
Security around the negligence trial between Jackson's mother and concert promoter AEG Live LLC has been tight. Daily admonitions are given to spectators that photographs and transmissions from inside the courtroom are prohibited.
Wagener posts news about Michael Jackson on Facebook and YouTube. He attended Jackson's 2005 criminal trial and says a ban would hurt his ability to cover the current case.
