The Dubose Brothers death penalty trial continues this week in Jacksonville, and the liveblog has survived a legal challenge.

As posted last week, the Times-Union and Jacksonville.com are live-blogging the trial as it happens.  This is a great thing — a phenomenal way for those interested in death penalty matters to follow the case online when it’s not being telecast. 

Benefits of the Live Blogging

In fact, there is something unique about following the reporter’s blogging — you see things through the blogger’s vision, learning things that you might have otherwise not noticed.  The grandfather’s work uniform as he comes into the courtroom to take a seat in the back.  Things like that, things that bring home that human lives are on the line here. 

Additionally, there is the opportunity to make comments to the blog as things are occurring.  You can ask questions, make commentary, read other folk’s contributions.  Participate with the reporter as the trial moves along. 

LiveBlogging Ordered to Stop When Cameras in the Courtroom

Judge Haddock has set limits on live blogging by the media.  Blogging from the courtroom can happen only when the media isn’t using a camera (still or video).  Judge Haddock doesn’t like the blogging, the blogger is reporting that word from the bench is that the judge and the jurors are finding the reporter’s typing on a laptop "distracting."  

Distraction vs Intrusion

Distracting for some — but a great window into the proceedings that are going to decide whether or not these three young men will be sentenced with death for so many others.  Distraction and intrusion are not synonimous terms, and having the eyes of the world (via the WWW) on a room where the government is asking to kill three of its citizens is very important.