Two local media outlets will be in court today to oppose an application for a publication ban in the upcoming second-degree murder trial of Thomas Ted Barrett.
The 40 year-old Glace Bay man’s trial in the death of Brett Elizabeth MacKinnon from Glace Bay is scheduled to begin on January 18th.
But his lawyer has applied for an order that would ban publication on the trial’s proceedings until the conclusion of Barrett’s September trial in the death of Laura Jessome from Bras d’Or.
At issue is whether publication of evidence at this month’s trial could prejudice the jury at Barrett’s second trial.
The lawyer for the CBC and the Cape Breton Post argues that because the two trials will take place eight months apart, there will be more than enough time to allow full reporting on the details of Barrett’s first trial.
Brett Elizabeth MacKinnon was reported missing in 2006 and her remains were found in the Paschendaele area of Glace Bay in 2008.