New Judge Delays Pharmacist's Murder Trial, Will Not Allow Cameras in Courtroom

By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A new judge for pharmacist Jerome Ersland's murder trial has delayed the trial until December 6 and banned cameras from the courtroom.

Judge Tammy Bass-Lesure recused herself from the high-profile murder case Tuesday after District Attorney David Prater asked she be removed from the trial.

Judge Ray Elliott is now assigned to the case.

Judge Elliott ruled Wednesday that cameras would be barred from the courtroom, citing the potential for distortion of the facts. The judge also said there was no need for cameras because there was plenty of room for members of the public to sit in the courtroom and watch the proceedings themselves.

"It's an open courtroom. There are no restrictions on them being here and watching this trial if we want to assure ourselves and they want to assure themselves that they are seeing every piece of evidence in this important case. I think that it is appropriate that they're here," Prater said.

Ersland's Attorney Irven Box disagreed and said the resident's of Oklahoma County lost with Wednesday's ruling not to televise the trial.

"The idea that they can't see this case televised, the idea that the state says they can come down. Well, people can't come down. They work every day. They can't do that. This is a way for the citizens of Oklahoma County to see how this system of justice works," Box said.

Judge Bass-LaSure had granted NEWS 9's motion to allow cameras in the court room during the pharmacist's trial in November 2009. NEWS 9 was joined by statewide partner and fellow Griffin Communications company, The News On 6 in Tulsa, and Oklahoma City station KFOR in requesting permission to televise the trial of Jerome Ersland.

Judge Elliott also briefly considered issuing a gag order in the case after a request by Prater. Instead, Elliot simply warned attorneys on both sides not to try the case outside the courtroom.

Box said he took issue with Prater requesting a gag order in the case, citing it was the prosecution that released the infamous surveillance video to the public

Pharmacist Jerome Ersland is charged with first-degree murder in the May 2009 shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker inside Reliable Discount Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City. Ersland shot Parker during the attempted robbery.

This was the third time the trial has been delayed, but Box said, the delays have only helped their case since new evidence from the Medical Examiner's office had only surfaced recently. With that, the defense still plans on filing a motion to remove the D.A. from the case due to the secret meetings he had with Judge Bass-Lesure.

More:

• Defense in Pharmacist Murder Trial Wants District Attorney Dismissed
• Attorney: District Attorney Wants to Remove Judge from Pharmacist's Murder Trial
• Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Murder Charges Against Oklahoma City Pharmacist
• Interim Chief M.E. Releases New Report in Pharmacy Suspect's Death
• Pharmacist's Attorney Says New Details Won't Affect Murder Case Strategy
• Judge Grants Permission for Pharmacist's Trial to be Televised