Boulder, CO Judge Lael Montgomery ruled that cell phones and computers would be allowed in the courtroom during a local man's child abuse trial.

Both sides argued against the real-time blogging that had been allowed during the trial of the man's wife - which had been held previously. (She was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years in prison.)  In published reports, defense attorney Paul McCormick went so far as to warn that the practice could, "contaminat[e] our jury in some way."

In approving access, a report quoted the judge as saying, "I think there are other manageable options and less restrictive options than shutting down the flow of information during the trial."  The report also noted that she would "give clear instructions to the jury to refrain from reading or viewing any media accounts of the case," etc.

For more information about this case see The Boulder Daily Camera http://tinyurl.com/96gzeh.