Judges to decide on court tweets

ALLENTOWN — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declined to impose a ban on tweets, texts, e-mail and other electronic communication in Pennsylvania courtrooms.

County judges will decide on a case-by-case basis whether the public and news organizations are allowed to report court proceedings in real time.

Some prosecutors and defense attorneys favor more openness to electronic communication. But some judges ban devices, fearing their effect on courtroom decorum or even witness safety.

A court committee drafted a proposed ban three years ago, but one justice said the high court simply couldn’t reach a consensus.

Jurors have long been told not to watch television or read newspapers about cases, and many courts have added admonitions against using social media or Internet research.

Kane’s lawyers defend her actions

NORRISTOWN — Lawyers for Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane were scheduled to be in court today to argue why she shouldn’t have to defend her actions in a contempt of court hearing.

Judge William Carpenter initially ordered Kane to explain whether that she had committed contempt of court by firing a prosecutor, James Barker. Barker had testified in a court-ordered investigation into allegations that Kane’s office leaked secret information.

Carpenter had previously barred Kane’s office from retaliating against witnesses in the investigation.

But Carpenter agreed to hear arguments first by Kane’s lawyers.