Rapid City Circuit Judge John Delaney has denied a media request for expanded electronic coverage in the upcoming Aug. 23 sentencing of Amanda Kaur, who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 2010 shooting death of her husband.
The request for video and still camera coverage, along with audio recording, was made by News Director Jack Caudill of KEVN-TV in Rapid City. The denial letter said the lawyers and the judge did not agree with camera coverage, and Judge Delaney acting on his own had denied audio coverage.
Further, the letter from 7th Circuit Court Administrator Jeff Krattenmaker said the judge will not allow recording devices or laptops in the courtroom during the sentencing, and all mobile phones must be turned off. Many judges in South Dakota do permit reporters to use laptops for taking notes during trials and hearings, and Chief Justice David Gilbertson has said he can see no reason to deny that use.
Kaur had been charged with murder in the November 2010 shooting death of her husband Ira Kaur in the couple’s New Underwood home. As part of the plea agreement prosecutors agreed to cap their sentence request at 65 years in prison, but Judge Delaney is not bound by that agreement.