Opinion ID: 1353585
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Defense counsel's request to videotape the trial.

Text: The Montgomery Circuit Court courtroom was not video-equipped at the time of this trial. The proceedings were recorded and transcribed by the official court reporter. Appellant requested that his privately retained cameraman be permitted to videotape the entire trial so that his inability to assist his attorney at trial could be demonstrated and preserved for appellate review. The trial judge allowed the cameraman to videotape Appellant during recesses but not while the trial was in progress. A judge has a right and obligation to maintain control over his own courtroom so as to minimize or prevent activities that might distract the jurors during the course of the trial. Wilson v. Commonwealth, Ky., 836 S.W.2d 872, 884-85 (1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 1034, 113 S.Ct. 1857, 123 L.Ed.2d 479 (1993); Preston v. Commonwealth, Ky., 406 S.W.2d 398, 404-05 (1966). Generally, whether to permit cameras in the courtroom is within the sound discretion of the trial court. 75 Am.Jur.2d, Trial, § 198 (1991). SCR 4.310 (Appendix) specifies restrictions with respect to the use of cameras in the courtroom during trial and specifically provides that any such unofficial recordings shall not be admissible upon any appeal of such proceedings. Id. § 7. The trial judge did not abuse his discretion in limiting Appellant's privately retained cameraman to videotaping inside the courtroom only during trial recesses.