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May 7, 2008

A first for high court: Webcast of lead-paint appeal

When the Rhode Island Supreme Court hears arguments next week in the appeals of the state's landmark lead-paint decision, anyone with Internet access will be able to watch and listen.

The arguments scheduled for Thursday, May 15, are expected to draw national interest, and the judiciary issued a media planning advisory today saying the state's highest court will Webcast oral arguments for the first time.

Chief Justice Frank J. Williams authorized the Webcast "because of the wide national interest in the case," the advisory said.

The appeals are from the lead paint case tried in Superior Court. In 2006, a Superior Court jury concluded lead-based paint is a public nuisance in Rhode Island and that three of four paint manufacturers on trial in Providence should be held responsible.

The court is readying for a crowd expected at the Licht Judicial Complex in Providence, fielding "many inquiries" from lawyers, brokerage houses and media representatives from around the country.

A single camera will provide the video feed to the conference room and for the simultaneous Webcast on the Internet. The Webcast will be accessible using a link in the lower left corner of the judiciary’s home page: www.courts.ri.gov. Arguments are expected to begin at 9 a.m.

The appeals are the only matter the Supreme Court will hear that day. It's the last hearing date on the court's calendar for this year.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:47 PM | Permalink

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