Opinion ID: 1902406
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Presence of Cameras in the Courtroom

Text: The appellant objected to the presence of television and still cameras at his trial and contends that (1) the presence of cameras in the courtroom is inherently prejudicial and (2) the presence of cameras produced negative effects in this case sufficient to warrant reversal. The contention that cameras in the courtroom are inherently prejudicial is without merit and has previously been expressly rejected by this Court. Clark v. State, 379 So.2d 97 (Fla. 1979); In Re Petition of Post-Newsweek Stations, Florida, 370 So.2d 764 (Fla. 1979). With reference to the second point, we find that King has failed to demonstrate any specific denial of due process resulting from the presence of cameras in the courtroom during his trial. General allegations of prejudice are insufficient. The record reflects that the trial court was alert to any possible disruption or prejudicial effect the cameras might have had during the course of the trial. In response to certain objections and conclusory statements made by appellant's counsel concerning the cameras, the trial court stated: I will not hesitate to have them removed from the courtroom. In denying the objections made by counsel for the appellant, the trial court stated: Mr. Rondolino, I have also been aware of their [cameras] presence. I have a much better view of their activities than you do... . I have also been aware of the jurors and from what I have been able to determine from the jurors their attentions have been devoted exclusively and entirely to the witnesses' testimony. In our examination of this record, we find no demonstrated evidence of prejudice resulting from the presence of cameras during the course of the trial of this cause.