FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) A Supreme Judicial Court justice on Monday ordered that the media should be allowed into jury selection in the trial of a religious sect leader charged with starving his son.
Nine jurors were seated Monday in the trial of Jacques Robidoux after Judge Elizabeth B. Donovan excluded reporters from the courtroom.
The Associated Press, The Providence Journal and The Sun Publishing Co. appealed her ordered that barred reporters. Justice John M. Greaney stayed the judge's order and said members of the media should have ''reasonable access.''
Selection was scheduled to continue Tuesday. A total of 16 jurors which will include four alternates must be seated before opening arguments begin. Prosecutors say Robidoux withheld solid food from his son after the child's aunt said she received a message from God directing him to do so. He has pleaded innocent.
The child's mother is charged with second-degree murder and faces a separate trial. His aunt also will be tried later on a charge of accessory to assault and battery on a child.