Media wants jurors' names in Edwards case

A coalition of 10 media companies, including WRAL parent Capitol Broadcasting Co., has filed a joint motion with a federal court in Greensboro seeking the release of information about jurors at the conclusion of the John Edwards trial.

Posted 3:59 a.m. May 24, 2012 — Updated 2:12 p.m. May 24, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A coalition of 10 media companies, including WRAL parent Capitol Broadcasting Co., has filed a joint motion with a federal court in Greensboro seeking the release of information about jurors at the conclusion of the John Edwards trial.

Clerk of Court John Brubaker notified journalists this week that a local rule in the Middle District of North Carolina forbids him to release the identities of jurors without the permission of U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles, who is overseeing the trial of the former presidential candidate.

In a memorandum accompanying the motion filed Wednesday, lawyers for the media companies cite U.S. Supreme Court rulings and other legal precedents supporting the release of the jurors' names.

In addition to WRAL, the coalition includes The Associated Press, The New York Times, ABC, NBC and Time Warner.

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