California IN BRIEF : SAN QUENTIN : Press Ban at Execution Pledged

The warden of San Quentin Prison said he will bar all reporters from California’s next execution rather than allow television cameras to videotape it. Responding to a federal lawsuit brought by San Francisco television station KQED, Warden Dan Vasquez said he would bar reporters rather than forfeit “his control” over whether cameras and recording equipment are permitted on prison grounds. The lawsuit, filed last May, is scheduled to go to trial in San Francisco on Monday. Vasquez said the law does not require that reporters be allowed at executions, and that he is changing the prison regulation that allows it. Vasquez said that he believes there is no constitutional right for the press to be present at executions, but that if the press is permitted, the federal courts will have the final say on restrictions and access.