Kansas City Star Co. v. Fossey

The opinion of the court was delivered by This is an original action in mandamus filed by the Kansas City Star Company to compel the Honorable Leighton A. Fossey, Associate District Judge of the Sixth Judicial District, to allow petitioner access to certain criminal proceedings in the case of State of Kansas v. James M. Crumm, and all future criminal proceedings which the respondent may order closed. The petition for a writ of mandamus was filed on May 1, 1981. This court on May 7, 1981, directed the respondent, Judge Fossey, to respond to the petition. The attorney general appeared on behalf of respondent and filed an entry of appearance and a motion to dismiss the petition for mandamus. The essential facts in the case are not in dispute. They are either admitted by the parties or contained in transcripts of proceedings in the district court held on April 27 and 28, 1981. The case of State of Kansas v. James M. Crumm arose from a [230 Kan. 241]