A Maine judge says he was wrong to try to restrict what the news media could report about testimony during an attorney's criminal court appearance.
Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz called lawyers and the media to court Wednesday to say he made a mistake in trying to limit reporting. He says his order was "not lawful" and apologized to a newspaper reporter.
Moskowitz originally told news media what they could and could not report about testimony during a hearing Monday in which Anthony Sineni III, of Standish, was convicted of misdemeanor charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
The Portland Press Herald defied the order, reporting claims of domestic abuse by Sineni's ex-girlfriend. Managing editor Steve Greenlee says he is gratified that the judge rescinded an unconstitutional order.
Some news outlets, including necn affiliate WCSH, planned to challenge the judge, saying that not being able to report testimony was unconstitutional.
WCSH hired a lawyer and reported the testimony anyways, which comes from an alleged victim, who describes in detail abuses she dealt with at the hands of her boyfriend.
