Judge Issues Guidelines for TV Coverage of Olson Trial

The judge in the case of accused Symbionese Liberation Army member Sara Jane Olson issued strict guidelines Tuesday for television coverage of her upcoming trial.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said witnesses will not automatically be on TV. Instead, he will decide on a witness-by-witness basis.

Fidler said the cameras must be stationary at all times. Because of public safety issues, he said, he will not allow any TV coverage of testimony regarding how to make bombs.

Olson, formerly Kathleen Soliah, is charged with attempting to kill Los Angeles police officers in 1975 by placing bombs under two squad cars. The bombs did not detonate. If convicted, Olson faces a possible life sentence.

In his ruling Tuesday, Fidler said, “This court finds that the public interest in viewing and studying the instant proceedings outweighs any adverse effect that may result due to the coverage.”

Television coverage had been supported by Olson’s defense attorneys and opposed by prosecutors, who said it could jeopardize a pending investigation of Olson in an alleged SLA bank robbery and murder case in Carmichael, Calif.