TV Cameras Barred From Pastor’s Trial for Aiding Homeless

A judge Tuesday dashed the hopes of Southern Baptist Pastor Wiley S. Drake, who would have welcomed televised coverage of his trial for sheltering the homeless without a permit.

Without comment, Orange County Municipal Judge Gregg L. Prickett denied a request by the Court TV network and local stations to offer “gavel-to-gavel coverage” of the case.

Gregory P. Palmer, an assistant city prosecutor, said he was delighted with the decision.

“I don’t think cameras belong in the courtroom,” Palmer said. “The eyewitnesses will be more comfortable testifying and the case will be better presented without it.”

Drake, pastor of the 150-member First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, faces five misdemeanor charges alleging he violated the city’s anti-camping law by allowing homeless people to sleep in the church parking lot. Jury selection is underway.

Palmer had argued Monday that allowing cameras to tape Drake’s trial would create a circus atmosphere and prevent a fair trial.

He said some witnesses would be afraid to testify if they would be appearing on national television.

Drake’s attorney, Jon Alexander, had argued that he and Palmer would conduct themselves with dignity and prevent the kind of hoopla that surrounded the O.J. Simpson criminal trial.

Prickett did not discuss his ruling but referred to recent rules adopted by the Orange County Municipal Court that specified criteria for allowing cameras in court.

Mary Haas, the attorney for Court TV, which now will not offer coverage of the case, said she was disappointed.

“This is a case of significance to Buena Park as well as other communities throughout the country that are grappling with the same issues,” said Haas, who said the residual effects of the much-televised Simpson trial are being felt at Court TV.