Peeved judge rejects media request

Judge Howard rejected a request by the media to hold bench conferences in open court, taking a harsh and antagonistic tone toward the challenge.

An attorney for the Ocala Star-Banner challenged the court's procedure of bringing individual jurors to the bench for private conversations, saying the public -- via the media -- has a right to hear the proceedings.

Two jurors were dismissed without a reason this morning after talking with the judge and attorneys at the bench.

Howard said he was one of the most press-friendly judges and seemed personally offended by the challenge.

"You probably haven't been informed properly," Howard told the Star-Banner attorney. "We are not having secret court. That's offensive."

When the attorney asked for a different procedure to make the court more open, the judge retorted: "Throw out the baby from the bath water? Well, you're wrong."

Moments later an AP reporter's cell phone went off in court, peeving Howard even more. "Hey, you. You leave," he commanded. "Bailiffs ..."

Howard told the media to write down a phone number of the National Judicial College in Nevada, where reporters can learn more about how courtrooms work.