COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Cook County judge on Thursday said she will not allow cameras at upcoming court hearings for the four people accused of torturing a schizophrenic man on Facebook Live.
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Cameras are typically barred from Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2600 S. California Ave., but media can apply for what's known as "extended media coverage." This allows photographers and videographers to document court hearings on a case-by-case basis.
Last year, for example, Judge Vincent Gaughan approved requests to visually document hearings for Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago Police officer charged with murdering Laquan McDonald in 2014.
On Thursday, Judge Peggy Chiampas denied a similar request from WBBM-TV that would've allowed cameras into hearings for Jordan Hill, 18; Tesfaye Cooper, 18; and sisters Brittany and Tanishia Covington, ages 18 and 24, respectively.
The foursome is accused of torturing an 18-year-old white man in a West Side apartment, where he was forced to drink toilet water and proclaim, "I love black people," and "F--- Trump," as he kissed the floor. Much of the abuse was live-streamed on Facebook.
Hill, Cooper and the Covington sisters are charged with hate crime, and were denied bail earlier this month.
Chiampas' ruling only applies to proceedings that occur during the preliminary-hearing process. If Hill, Cooper and the Covington's are criminally indicted in coming weeks, media outlets can once more request camera access.
