MSNBC banned from Rittenhouse trial after allegation

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MSNBC was banned from the courtroom for the duration of Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after a freelance writer for the NBCUniversal-owned news channel was cited for a traffic incident on Wednesday near the van carrying jurors.

Bruce Schroeder, the presiding judge in the case who criticized some of the media coverage, revealed the ban Thursday from the courtroom bench where Rittenhouse is on trial for the murder of two people in a civil riot in 2020 in Kenosha.

Schroeder said a car driven by James Morrison, who identified himself as an MSNBC employee, was pulled over by police after allegedly violating a traffic control signal. He was driving about a block behind the van that transports jurors to the courthouse.

Schroeder said Morrison was under the supervision of an NBC News official in New York who allegedly asked him to follow the jurors.

A person familiar with Morrisons’ employment status who is not authorized to comment publicly said Morrison worked for MSNBC as a freelance booker.

Schroeder called the matter very serious and said it would be referred to higher authorities for further action.

In a tweet Thursday morning, the Kenosha Police Department said: Last night, a person claiming to be affiliated with a national media outlet was suspected of attempting to photograph jurors, adding that the case was under investigation. ‘investigation. Police said there had been no breach of security regarding the jury and no photographs were obtained.

In a statement, an NBC News representative confirmed Morrison worked for the division but said he never intended to contact or photograph jurors during deliberations.

We regret the incident and will cooperate fully with authorities on any investigation, the network said.

The ban will not impact MSNBC’s coverage of the trial, as NBC News will still have access to video of the proceedings in the courtroom.

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