Disney Trial Judge Sides With Court TV

Overruling the objections of Walt Disney Co., an Orange County Superior Court judge said he’ll permit televised coverage of the upcoming trial involving a former Mouseketeer who is suing the company because she was robbed in the parking lot at Disneyland. Disney had argued that broadcasting the proceedings would reveal its security procedures to criminals who could use that knowledge to prey on visitors to the Anaheim amusement park. But Judge Richard Luesebrink said he’ll allow Court TV to bring cameras into the courtroom, though he may set some restrictions on what can be aired. Luesebrink will hear further arguments on the matter on June 20. The trial was to begin today, but Robert O’Connor, attorney for plaintiff Billie Jean Matay, asked for a continuance because of a conflict with his schedule.