Media Petition North Dakota Supreme Court for Expanded Access to Greenpeace Trial

Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Amy Dalrymple . North Dakota Monitor) – A coalition of media organizations, including the North Dakota Monitor, petitioned the state Supreme Court Thursday seeking expanded access to the trial involving the Dakota Access Pipeline developer and Greenpeace.

Southwest Judicial District Judge James Gion has denied media requests for photography or video during the five-week civil trial in Morton County. He also has denied requests for a public livestream or use of cellphones or recording devices during the trial.

Gion has cited concerns about witness sequestration in his orders.

Media attorney Jack McDonald filed a petition with the North Dakota Supreme Court seeking reversal of Gion’s orders, citing significant local, state, national and international interest in the case.