When former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman is sentenced during a 9 a.m. June 9 hearing in Taney County Circuit Court, it appears television cameras will chronicle the event.
Online court records indicate Judge Mark Orr issued an order Wednesday allowing media coverage.
Newman pleaded guilty to numerous sex crimes involving underage boys.
22 comments:
Unwise to let the vultures in.
Allowing TV cameras in the courtroom might have tipped us as to what kind of sentence Judge Orr has in mind.
I can't imagine he would allow TV coverage if he intended to give Pete a light sentence.
Vultures? Try concerned citizens.
How will the identity of the boys testifying be protected if there are TV cameras etc. in the courtroom? I thought there was an order that was previously executed protecting the young boys from this.
Yes - the public has a right to the information - but what about the victims? They are courageous to come forward and have been through so much. Protecting their identity would be most helpful in their healing process. Having to testify/witness is bad enough in private - now a public forum? What is the judge thinking? Or do I not understand the context in which he is allowing the media. How do parents of the victims feel about this?
There are restrictions as to what can be on camera...the gallery is off limits...my understanding is that the press just wants to be able to get Pete on camera. There should be nothing for the victims and their families to worry about with this. Of course, we would rather not have to think about this at all...but what can we do about it?
The victims will be protected as is their right. There have been many court proceedings where cameras are allowed but restricted as to what they can film.
There won't be any victims speaking. I am about 95 % sure on this. These boys were able to write letters to the judge and none of them would sign their name for fear it would be seen on record. None of them are going to want to risk that in the sentencing with a room of reporters let alone cameras. This is not a judgement I am making, just what I think to be true is all.....Might be parents willing to speak, but really doubt you will get any victims on the stand. Of course no one will know until that day comes....again, just an observation, no need to bash my comments
I appreciate your thoughts, last poster, but I wouldn't count on your prediction. Pete is probably counting on intimidation of the boys just like he has done the entire court process. The prosecution is ready to go and I wouldn't be surprised to hear from a victim on that day. Even if a victim speaks, the press will not be able to film him or take pictures. s
It is true that the camera would not be able to film a victim, but court records would show their names and the press would have acess to those names. We checked this out and that is why our son won't be taking the stand or signing his name on any letters. It would go into the record. That info. came from the prosecuters office.
Thanks for the information poster at 7:16...I plan to call and talk to them as well about what you posted. I understand about the court records but I thought identifiable information about the victims had to be redacted before released to the press or the public.I plan to clarify for myself the difference between court documents and what is released to the public/press...
@6:30 AM
I think literally means vultures. Some people just like giving out solid advice.
These boys who are set to testify are heros...they have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. If they help to keep this sicko caged up where he belongs, then they are serving society at large and protecting other little children from this monster.
The vultures are there to feed, just as pete was a vulture there at camp to feed on his prey. They (the media and pete) are just alike...there for what they can get.
To all of the victims and their families, my prayers are with you to the fullest extent. I am a former kamp employee and worked for Pete a few years back. As a former employee, I was immensely heartbroken over this tragedy. I am heartbroken for all the victims and families who have to go through this process. God is faithful and just, and He will bring justice to this situation. PETE DESERVES TO SPEND HIS LIFE IN PRISON. I wanted to make sure that this was heard from a former kamp worker, and from someone who worked directly for Pete at one time. His actions still make me sick to my stomach when I think about them, and I grieve for the families of the victims. I pray that justice will come swiftly and that God would lay His healing hand on the families and victims.
Our family is one of those of who are close to this situation but live out of state and I for one am glad to hear there are going to be cameras in the courtoom, as long as the privacy of the victims is protected. I see this as an opportunity to see where Kanakuk leadership stands in this since they will not speak up honestly with parents, I sure hope they have no represenatives speaking on Pete's behalf as they have at previous trials of people who commit crimes agains children. I hope to see them take a stand for the children that were victimized this time, if they bother to make an appearance at all...
Does anyone know how those of us in other states can view the sentencing? Is there a website that will broadcast it online?
Thank you, Randy, for following this story. I'm amazed that you and the Crime Scene Blog are really the only ones keeping up with the details. I'm sure we'll all be very interested in the civil suits to follow this case, as well.
There are too many unanswered questions. This was a real wake up call for me as a "kamp" parent. I hope there will be answers to the questions some of us have about the administration and red flags. Clearly, something big failed in the chain of command. It's unlikely that I'll ever feel okay about sending my kids back there, which makes us all very sad. I do think it is probably safer than ever, but trust has been broken regarding the handling of this and the possibility that red flags were dismissed multiple times. Such poor judgement seems to have resulted in so many more boys being harmed. The ripple effects of this monster's actions are beyond estimation. I, too, believe the boys who are standing up to him are so courageous and I will pray for them for the rest of my life.
RANDY...do you have any information on how to see the proceedings Wednesday on the Internet?
Thanks for what help you can give.
Randy,
Are you attending the sentencing tomorrow? As an out of state parent you are really the only source of information I have. THANK YOU!
I wish I could. Unfortunately, I can't afford to do much traveling for this blog. It's kind of a sideline for me. But I will try to find out what I can.
The sentencing has surely taken place by now.. does anyone know what sentence was handed down
While I don't know for sure since I am not there, the hearing could easily still be going on. If you have witnesses and lawyers making statements, it could take a few hours.
Pete Newman was sentenced to 2 life sentences and 30 years. The lifesentences were consecutive so he will likely never get out.
Personally, I thought the defense put forth a much stronger case at the sentencing. The judge must have decided in advance on the sentence.
11:39
How could the defense have put forth a much stronger case when he PLEAD GUILTY to the charges against him? This was not a trial to determine if he was guilty, that is a given, this is was to determine how he should pay for what he ADMITTED he did. What could anyone have said to reduce the severity of the damage he has done. The prosecutor described him as the most prolific pedophile he has ever dealt with...That is pretty strong don't you think.
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