Media asks court to ensure access to trial over Floyd death

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A coalition of media organizations has asked a federal appeals court to intervene to ensure public access to the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The news organizations, including The Associated Press, petitioned the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday to quash two orders from Judge Paul Magnuson that they say violated the First Amendment by closing a Jan. 21 proceeding and sealing the corresponding transcript. Leita Walker an attorney for the media coalition, told the appeals court that ensuring the trial is fully open to the press and public is imperative.