Judge Allows Pool Video, Audio Coverage of WV Monsanto Trial

As a key environmental trial gets under way in West Virginia, tension is rising over how public the "public" trial will turn out to be.

Mercer County Circuit Court Judge Derek Swope decreed that "No lawyer is to discuss anything about the case." Later, in response to a request for live-streaming of the trial, he allowed audio and video coverage of the trial via press pool.

The class-action lawsuit seeks medical monitoring for people who may have been exposed to hazardous chemicals produced at Monsanto's former plant in Nitro, W.V. 

• "Judge Clarifies Media Rule For Monsanto Trial," Charleston Gazette, January 10, 2012, by Kate White.
• "Judge Expands Gag Order in W.Va. Monsanto Suit," Associated Press, January 4, 2012.
• "Judge Expands Gag Order In Monsanto Pollution Case," Charleston Gazette, January 3, 2012, by Kate White.