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Blog Follows Sensational Trial

On Cape Cod, the trial of Christopher McCowen in Barnstable Superior Court for the 2002 murder of former fashion writer Christa Worthington is attracting national media coverage and the cameras of Court TV. But as is becoming ever more commonly the case these days with high-profile trials, a blog is filling in the spaces between the lines of traditional media coverage. The Christopher McCowen Murder Trial Blog is the work of Eric Williams, a reporter for the Cape Cod Times. Williams, of course, provides a running recap of the official proceedings in the courtroom, but also offers glimpses of the trial's offline events, such as this post titled, Careful what you wear:

"Shortly before the end of court business for the day, Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson told spectators that all were welcome to observe the trial, but certain wardrobe rules would be enforced — namely, no bare midriffs for women and no Bermuda shorts for men.

"Nickerson also banned hand-holding between spectators and the making of what he called 'lovey expressions' between spectators.

"The bare midriffs and 'lovey expressions' were likely brought into court by students from Cape Cod Community College, who are observing the trial.

"The Bermuda shorts were worn by a middle age chunky guy.

"Court officers also made a young man in the balcony remove a baseball cap yesterday. "

And then there are the personal asides that remind the reader that even a seasoned reporter feels the emotional impact of covering a murder trial:

"It was the kind of afternoon in court where you just wanted to lay down on the floor and forget about murder, and think happy, meadow, butterfly thoughts."

Williams' blog supplements the Cape Cod Times' broader coverage of the trial in print and online, which includes news reports, photos and videos.

Posted by Robert J. Ambrogi on October 25, 2006 at 03:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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