WINONA, Minn. – The prosecutor in the Adam Fravel murder case has vetoed a request by Rochester television station KTTC to cover a Winona hearing Thursday with cameras. Minnesota judicial rules allow cameras in court only if both sides agree. Karin Sonneman, Winona County’s attorney, said: No way. And Judge Nancy Buytendorp perfunctorily denied he KTTC request. Sonneman expressed concern that cameras could pollute the process of seating an unprejudiced jury if Fravel maintains his plea of innocent and the case goes to trial. A tainted jury could become grounds for an appeal if Favel is found guilty. The hearing, on Thursday, is not a trial. The purpose is for Sonneman to lay out her evidence against Fravel so his attorney can prepare a defense. Although there will be mo cameras, the hearing will be available through Zoom. The meeting ID for Zoom: 160 150 4231. The passcode: 5279546. Usual practice is that news media, including KTTC, will be free to seat reporters and illustrators in the courtroom as space permits. If seating is insufficient, media usually pool their resources for joint coverage.
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Sonneman. Attorney for Winona County. First elected in 2010.
Verbatim
Sonneman: ““Although defendant has failed to identify any actual prejudice or corrupt pretrial publicity that would warrant a finding of a presumption of prejudice to a potential jury pool that would warrant a change of venue, the denial of KTTC TV’s request for camera access to the pretrial court proceedings serves to reduce the likelihood of actual or presumptive prejudicial impact on prospective jurors, should the matter proceed to trial and a question arise as to whether a change of venue is warranted.”