People v. Sledge ( 2015 )

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, FOR PUBLICATION
October 1, 2015
Plaintiff-Appellee, 9:05 a.m.
v No. 324680
Wayne Circuit Court
CARLA SLEDGE, LC No. 14-008080-FH
Defendant-Appellee,
and
DETROIT FREE PRESS, INC.,
Intervenor-Appellant.
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 324681
Wayne Circuit Court
STEVEN M. COLLINS, LC No. 14-008080-FH
Defendant-Appellee,
and
DETROIT FREE PRESS, INC.,
Intervenor-Appellant.
Before: GADOLA, P.J., and JANSEN and BECKERING, JJ.
JANSEN, J.
In Docket Nos. 324680 and 324681, intervenor, the Detroit Free Press, Inc. (“Free
Press”), appeals by leave granted the trial court’s order denying its motion to vacate the orders
precluding “all potential trial participants” in the cases pending against defendants Carla Sledge
-1-
and Steven M. Collins from commenting to the media about the case (collectively “gag order”).
We reverse the trial court’s decision on the motion to vacate the gag order, and we vacate the gag
order.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Wayne County Jail Project, a 2010 project to construct a jail budgeted at $300
million in downtown Detroit, came to a halt when construction was only about a quarter
complete because of approximately $100 million in cost overruns. The failure of the project, in
spite of the fact that $220 million of the money budgeted for the project was spent, has been the
subject of public and media scrutiny.1 The Free Press is a newspaper interested in publishing
articles regarding the criminal charges stemming from the failed jail project. On September 12,
2014, Sledge, the former Wayne County Chief Financial Officer, and Collins, the Assistant
Wayne County Corporation Counsel, were each indicted on two counts of common law offenses,
MCL 750.505, and two counts of willful neglect of duty, MCL 750.478, stemming from the
Wayne County Jail Project. The indictment alleged that defendants intentionally misled the
Wayne County Commission and Wayne County Building Authority regarding “the cost(s) and/or
financial status of the Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project,” and willfully neglected to fully
and honestly inform the Wayne County Commission and the Wayne County Building Authority
regarding the project.2 On September 30, 2014, the trial court, sua sponte, sealed the court
record and entered a set of orders, which stated, in relevant part:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all potential trial participants shall be
prohibited from making any extra judicial [sic] statements regarding this case to
members of the media or to any individual[](s) for the purpose of for [sic]
dissemination by public communications.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that potential trial participants shall include
all attorneys for the prosecution and defense, the defendant and any agent acting
on behalf of the attorneys ordered.
1
See, e.g., Walker, Wayne County Authority Had Little Say Over $300M Jail Project, Detroit
Free Press (July 14, 2013),
(accessed September 17, 2015); The Detroit Free
Press Editorial Board, Wayne Co. “Fail Jail” Construction May Be Criminal, Detroit Free Press
(September 16, 2014), < http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/09/15/editorial-
wayne-co-fail-jail-construction-may-be-criminal/15691347/> (accessed September 17, 2015);
Walker, 3 Plead Not Guilty to Wrongdoing in Wayne Co. Jail Case, Detroit Free Press
(September 23, 2014),
(accessed September 17, 2015).
2
The charges against Collins were dismissed on September 4, 2015.
-2-
The court did not hold a hearing or make any findings of fact when it sealed the record and
entered the orders.
On October 6, 2014, the Free Press’s attorney sent a letter to the trial court, urging the
court to vacate the gag order prohibiting all potential trial participants from making statements to
the media regarding the case and arguing that the great public interest in the case outweighed any
prejudice to defendants’ right to a fair trial. The letter cited several cases in support of the
request. On October 14, 2014, the Free Press filed a formal motion to intervene in the case and
vacate the gag order. The Free Press requested leave to intervene “pursuant to MCR 8.116(D)
and applicable U.S. Supreme Court precedents giving the media standing to oppose restraints on
its ability to gather news.” In a corresponding brief, the Free Press argued that the gag order was
overbroad and constituted an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech.
On October 31, 2014, the trial court held a hearing on the Free Press’s motion to
intervene and vacate the gag order. The attorney for the Free Press emphasized that the gag
order was overbroad and covered “anybody potentially involved” in the case. He argued that the
gag order constituted a prior restraint on the media’s ability to report on the news and that the
gag order was entered without a request by one of the parties or findings by the court. He stated
that he recently learned that the court file was sealed and argued that it should be unsealed.
Sledge’s attorney stated that he appreciated the trial court’s efforts to ensure a fair trial, but he
could not disagree with the legal authority cited by the Free Press. He noted that he would leave
the issue up to the trial court’s discretion and did not specifically request that the court uphold
the gag order. Counsel for Collins stated that the court entered the gag order in order to protect
his client’s right to a fair trial and noted that his client had “a right to a jury that is untouched by
bias,” but he did not specifically request that the court uphold the gag order. The prosecutor also
agreed that the trial court issued the gag order to protect defendants’ right to a fair trial, but did
not request that the trial court uphold the gag order.
Ruling from the bench, the trial court granted the Free Press’s request to unseal the
record, but denied its motion to vacate the gag order. The trial judge questioned whether the
Free Press had standing to challenge the gag order, but ultimately found that that the Free Press
had standing. However, the judge noted that the Free Press had access to the court proceedings
and that the gag order was not directed at the media. The judge further reasoned that the grand
jury process is a secretive process and does not involve safeguards to ensure that the information
presented is properly tested and that the people against whom the grand jury witnesses testified
will not find out what the witnesses said. The judge explained that she entered the gag order to
avoid having the grand jury transcript placed in the lower court file. The judge also noted that
she has a duty to ensure that the right to a fair trial is not prejudiced and reasoned that pretrial
publicity would deny each defendant the right to a fair trial. The judge stated that the reason she
sealed the court file was that she believed that the grand jury transcripts would be placed in the
file. The trial judge stated, “This is the Court’s first impression with that of a grand jury
transcript or testimony. I didn’t know how the process went.” The prosecutor explained that the
grand jury material would not be part of the official court file. The court then determined that it
would unseal the court file.
The trial court issued an opinion and order on the Free Press’s motion to vacate the gag
order on the same day. The trial court determined that the Free Press had standing to intervene
-3-
in the action as a recipient of speech. The court further determined that there was not a prior
restraint on speech since the order did not prevent the Free Press from speaking or from reporting
on the proceedings. With regard to the justification for the gag order, the trial court emphasized
that the grand jury process involves secrecy and that the participants in a grand jury proceeding
may not disclose details of the proceeding. The trial court stated that it had “the right to balance
the government’s interest in secrecy against public disclosure,” and that disclosure could “have a
chilling effect on those who have testified to be frank and candid.” The court further noted that
disclosure could make it difficult to impanel a fair and impartial jury. Finally, the court reasoned
that pretrial publicity would deprive defendants of a fair trial. Thus, the court ruled that the gag
order was constitutional. On the same day, the trial court issued an order unsealing the record.
On November 19, 2014, the Free Press filed an application for leave to appeal to this
Court the trial court’s decision on the motion to vacate the gag order. On December 4, 2014, this
Court denied the application for leave to appeal in two identical orders, which stated, in part:
The gag order placed no direct restraint of any kind on the Free Press and,
therefore, the Free Press cannot claim that the gag order is an impermissible prior
restraint. Nevertheless, the gag order issued here, and in particular, the extension
of the order to “ . . . all potential trial participants . . . .” conceivably implicates
First Amendment rights. However, the Free Press has not identified any willing
speaker who feels restrained as a result of this order. Thus, this application is a
mere generalized challenge to a First Amendment interest.
See People v Sledge, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered December 4, 2014
(Docket No. 324680); People v Collins, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered
December 4, 2014 (Docket No. 324681). This Court also denied the Free Press’s motion for
reconsideration of the orders denying the Free Press’s application for leave to appeal in two
identical orders on January 12, 2015. See People v Sledge, unpublished order of the Court of
Appeals, entered January 12, 2015 (Docket No. 324680); People v Collins, unpublished order of
the Court of Appeals, entered January 12, 2015 (Docket No. 324681). The Free Press filed an
emergency application for leave to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court on February 23, 2015.
On March 27, 2015, the Michigan Supreme Court vacated this Court’s orders and, in lieu of
granting leave to appeal, remanded the case to this Court for consideration as on leave granted
pursuant to MCR 7.302(H)(1). People v Sledge, 497 Mich. 979 (2015). On April 1, 2015, this
Court consolidated Docket Nos. 324680 and 324681 for review on appeal. See People v Sledge,
unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered April 1, 2015 (Docket Nos. 324680 and
324681).
II. FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS
The Free Press argues that the gag order constituted an unconstitutional prior restraint on
the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press under the First Amendment. We agree.
We review a trial court’s decision on a motion to intervene for an abuse of discretion.
Auto-Owners Ins Co v Keizer-Morris, Inc, 284 Mich. App. 610, 612; 773 NW2d 267 (2009). “
‘An abuse of discretion occurs when the decision results in an outcome falling outside the
principled range of outcomes.’ ” Id. (citation omitted). Constitutional questions are reviewed de
-4-
novo. Cummins v Robinson Twp, 283 Mich. App. 677, 690; 770 NW2d 421 (2009). The issue
whether a party has standing is also a legal question that we review de novo. Manuel v Gill, 481
Mich. 637, 642; 753 NW2d 48 (2008).
The United States and Michigan Constitutions guarantee freedom of speech and freedom
of the press. US Const, Am I; Const 1963, art 1, § 5. The ability to gather news is entitled to at
least some First Amendment protection. Branzburg v Hayes, 408 U.S. 665, 681; 92 S. Ct. 2646; 33
L. Ed. 2d 626 (1972). The United States Supreme Court has also recognized the important role
that the press plays in the administration of justice:
A responsible press has always been regarded as the handmaiden of effective
judicial administration, especially in the criminal field. Its function in this regard
is documented by an impressive record of service over several centuries. The
press does not simply publish information about trials but guards against the
miscarriage of justice by subjecting the police, prosecutors, and judicial processes
to extensive public scrutiny and criticism. [Nebraska Press Ass’n v Stuart, 427
U.S. 539, 559-560; 96 S. Ct. 2791; 49 L. Ed. 2d 683 (1976) (citation and quotation
marks omitted).]
The First Amendment protects against an order that constitutes a prior restraint on speech. See
id. at 556. The gag order in this case constitutes a prior restraint on the freedom of speech and
the freedom of the press, and the trial court failed to justify the order in order to overcome the
heavy presumption of unconstitutionality.
A. STANDING
The trial court correctly determined that the Free Press had standing to challenge the gag
order. “ ‘To have standing, a party must have a legally protected interest that is in jeopardy of
being adversely affected.’ ” Barclae v Zarb, 300 Mich. App. 455, 483; 834 NW2d 100 (2013)
(citation omitted). The party must “ have ‘a special injury or right,’ ” or must have a substantial
interest in the case that will be detrimentally affected in a manner that is distinguishable from the
interest of the public at large. Id. (citation omitted). “ ‘A plaintiff must assert his own legal
rights and interests and cannot rest his claim to relief on the legal rights or interests of third
parties.’ ” Id. (citation omitted).
The fact that the Free Press had standing to challenge the gag order was uncontested in
the trial court and is uncontested on appeal. Nevertheless, the Free Press had standing to
challenge the gag order as a recipient of speech and as a news gatherer. “Freedom of speech
presupposes a willing speaker. But where a speaker exists . . . the protection afforded is to the
communication, to its source and to its recipients both.” Virginia State Bd of Pharmacy v
Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, Inc, 425 U.S. 748, 756; 96 S. Ct. 1817; 48 L. Ed. 2d 346
(1976). In In re Application of Dow Jones & Co, Inc, 842 F2d 603, 604, 607 (CA 2, 1988), the
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit determined that the news agencies
involved in the case had standing to challenge a gag order prohibiting trial participants from
speaking with the press since the district court found that the trial participants made extensive
-5-
extrajudicial statements before the restraining order was issued. The Second Circuit noted, “It is
hard, in fact, to imagine that there are no willing speakers. Without them there would be no need
for a restraining order; it would be superfluous.” Id. at 607.3
Similarly, in this case, the trial court cited the “extensive media coverage” of the Wayne
County Jail Project as a reason for denying the Free Press’s motion to vacate the gag order. The
trial court’s statement and imposition of a gag order including “all potential trial participants”
necessarily implies that there are willing speakers that the court intended to preclude from
speaking. See Dow Jones, 842 F2d at 607. Furthermore, the Free Press identified at least one
willing speaker who felt restrained because of the gag order. Wayne County Commissioner
Raymond Basham signed a declaration, in which he stated that he reasonably believed that he
could be a “ ‘potential trial participant,’ ” and that he was a willing speaker who feels restrained
from making statements to the media and to his constituents as a result of the gag order. Basham
also stated that the gag order prevented him from obtaining necessary information to carry out
his duties as chair of the Audit Committee, including discussing the audit of the project with the
Wayne County Auditor General. Therefore, the Free Press established standing as a recipient of
speech. See Virginia State Bd of Pharmacy, 425 U.S. at 756; Barclae, 300 Mich. App. at 483.4
Furthermore, the Free Press had standing to challenge the gag order as a news gatherer.
In Branzburg, the United States Supreme Court recognized that “without some protection for
seeking out the news, freedom of the press could be eviscerated.” Branzburg, 408 U.S. at 681. In
CBS, Inc v Young, 522 F2d 234, 237-238 (CA 6, 1975), the United States Court of Appeals for
the Sixth Circuit held that a gag order affected the right of a news organization to gather news in
spite of the fact that the news organization was not a party to the civil action. The court reasoned
that the gag order prohibited the news media from access “to important sources of information
about the trial.” Id. at 237. The court noted, “The protected right to publish the news would be
of little value in the absence of sources from which to obtain it.” Id. at 238. Similarly, in this
case, the gag order was not directed at the Free Press or the media in general. However, the gag
order cut the Free Press off from access to important sources of information since it prohibited
any potential trial participant from speaking with the news media regarding the case. See id.
The right of the Free Press to publish the news is of little value without sources from which to
3
“ ‘Though not binding on this Court, federal precedent is generally considered highly
persuasive when it addresses analogous issues.’ ” Fed Home Loan Mtg Ass’n v Kelley (On
Reconsideration), 306 Mich. App. 487, 494 n 7; 858 NW2d 69 (2014) (citation omitted).
4
Although this Court’s review is generally limited to the lower court record, the trial court found
the Free Press had standing to challenge the gag order, and the court did not require the Free
Press to demonstrate that there was a willing speaker in the trial court. The Free Press attached
Basham’s declaration to its motion for reconsideration of its application for leave to appeal in
this Court after this Court noted in its order denying leave to appeal that the Free Press failed to
identify a willing speaker. See Detroit Leasing Co v Detroit, 269 Mich. App. 233, 237; 713
NW2d 269 (2005) (providing that a party may not expand the record on appeal). Therefore, we
consider the declaration as support for the unchallenged argument on appeal that the Free Press
had standing as a recipient of speech.
-6-
obtain the news. See id. Therefore, the Free Press had standing to challenge the gag order as a
gatherer of news and a recipient of speech. See Branzburg, 408 U.S. at 681; CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at
237-238.
B. PRIOR RESTRAINT
The gag order constituted an unconstitutional prior restraint on freedom of speech and the
press. Prior restraints constitute “the most serious and the least tolerable infringement on First
Amendment rights.” Nebraska Press Ass’n, 427 U.S. at 559. “If it can be said that a threat of
criminal or civil sanctions after publication ‘chills’ speech, prior restraint ‘freezes’ it at least for
the time.” Id. The damage of a prior restraint is especially great when the prior restraint
prevents the media from publishing news stories on current events. Id. Thus, a prior restraint on
speech is subject to the closest scrutiny, and there is a heavy presumption that a prior restraint on
speech is unconstitutional. See CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at 238. “The restraint, to meet judicial
approval, must pose a clear and present danger, or a serious or imminent threat to a protected
competing interest.” Id. “The restraint must be narrowly drawn and cannot be upheld if
reasonable alternatives are available having a lesser impact on First Amendment freedoms.” Id.
In CBS, Inc, the Sixth Circuit held that the gag order entered in a civil case constituted a
prior restraint on the freedom of speech. CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at 240. The order at issue in CBS,
Inc provided that “in addition to all counsel and Court personnel, all parties concerned with this
litigation, whether plaintiffs or defendants, their relatives, close friends, and associates are
hereby ORDERED to refrain from discussing in any manner whatsoever these cases with
members of the news media or the public.” Id. at 236. The gag order did not directly prohibit
CBS or any other news entity from speaking. See id. Nevertheless, the Sixth Circuit held that
the gag order constituted a “prior direct restraint upon freedom of expression.” Id. at 239. The
court reasoned that the order was vague and overbroad since it prevented all parties and their
relatives, close friends, and associates from speaking on the case. Id. at 239-240. The court
reasoned, “Although the news media are not directly enjoined from discussing the case, it is
apparent that significant and meaningful sources of information concerning the case are
effectively removed from them and their representatives.” Id. at 239. The court reasoned that
the gag order applied to a broad group of people and prohibited all discussions regarding the case
without regard to the content of the discussions. Id. The court further reasoned that CBS’s right
to obtain information regarding the trial was impaired. Id.
Similarly, the vague and overbroad gag order at issue in this case constitutes an
impermissible prior restraint upon the freedom of expression. The gag order at issue prohibits
“all potential trial participants” from making any extrajudicial statements to the media. Although
the gag order adds, “[P]otential trial participants shall include all attorneys for the prosecution
and defense, the defendant and any agent acting on behalf of the attorneys ordered,” the gag
order does not limit the phrase “all potential trial participants” to the attorneys, the defendants,
and agents acting on behalf of the attorneys. Instead, the precise scope of the gag order is
unclear. The Free Press “would be at a loss to know with any degree of certainty what persons
were embraced by these terms.” See CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at 239. Thus, the vague and overbroad
scope of people covered by the gag order indicates that it is an impermissible prior restraint on
the Free Press’s freedom of expression. See id. Furthermore, the subject matter of the gag order
is equally vague and overbroad. The gag order prohibits any extrajudicial statements regarding
-7-
the case, regardless of the content of the discussions. See id. The statements are prohibited
“whether prejudicial or innocuous, whether subjective or objective, [and] whether reportorial or
interpretive.” See id. at 239-240. Thus, the order is incredibly overbroad and vague, and it
constitutes a prior restraint on freedom of speech. See id. The gag order also constitutes a prior
restraint on the freedom of the press. Although the gag order does not directly prohibit the media
from discussing the case, it prohibits the most meaningful sources of information from
discussing the case with the media. See id. Therefore, the right of the Free Press to obtain
information from all potential trial participants is also impaired. See id.
C. JUSTIFICATION FOR GAG ORDER
The gag order also fails to meet the strict scrutiny standard to overcome the heavy
presumption of unconstitutionality attached to all prior restraints. See CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at 238.
The trial court reasoned in its opinion and order denying the Free Press’s motion to vacate the
gag order that each defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial justified the order. A
defendant in a criminal case has the right to a fair trial by a panel of impartial jurors. Nebraska
Press Ass’n, 427 U.S. at 551. However, “[t]he authors of the Bill of Rights did not undertake to
assign priorities as between First Amendment and Sixth Amendment rights, ranking one as
superior to the other.” Id. at 561. A prior restraint on a First Amendment right will be upheld
only if there is a clear showing that the exercise of the right will interfere with the right to a fair
trial. See CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at 241. In order to determine whether the right to a fair trial
justified the prior restraint, a court
must examine the evidence before the trial judge when the order was entered to
determine (a) the nature and extent of pretrial news coverage; (b) whether other
measures would be likely to mitigate the effects of unrestrained pretrial publicity;
and (c) how effectively a restraining order would operate to prevent the threatened
danger. The precise terms of the restraining order are also important. [Nebraska
Press Ass’n, 427 U.S. at 562.]
There was no clear showing that the exercise of the First Amendment rights would
interfere with the right to a fair trial. Instead, the trial court did not make any findings of fact or
conclusions of law when it entered the gag order. The court failed to consider the nature and
extent of the pretrial news coverage, whether the gag order would prevent the danger to
defendants’ right to a fair trial, whether there were any willing speakers in this case, and whether
there were any alternatives to the gag order. Thus, the trial court failed to justify the prior
restraint when it issued the gag order. See Nebraska Press Ass’n, 427 U.S. at 562; In re
Application of New York Times Co, 878 F2d 67, 67-68 (CA 2, 1989) (reversing a gag order
preventing counsel in a criminal case from speaking to the press and reasoning that the district
court failed to making a finding with regard to whether a willing speaker exists); CBS, Inc, 522
F2d at 238.5
5
This case can be distinguished from Dow Jones since defendants did not request the gag order
or urge the trial court to affirm it. See Dow Jones, 842 F2d at 609. Furthermore, the gag order
-8-
Additionally, the trial court failed to adequately justify the gag order in its opinion and
order denying the motion to vacate the gag order. The trial court identified pretrial publicity as
one of two main reasons for entering the gag order in its opinion and order denying the motion to
vacate the gag order:
The charges brought against the defendants at bar Carla Sledge and Steven
Collins where [sic] a result of an indictment by a one man grand jury. The grand
jury process is one of secrecy which is designed to evaluate a prosecutor’s
evidence and decide whether it supports charging someone accused of a crime.
Numerous witnesses are interviewed in secrecy, many without the benefit of
attorneys present at the time there [sic] testimony is taken; the safe guards [sic]
afforded by the Michigan Rules of evidence don’t apply in gathering the
information.
Even after the grand jury is concluded participants, not including witnesses[,]
many times are forbidden from disclosing matters related to the grand jury.
The Court has the right to balance the government’s interest in secrecy against
public disclosure, to assure that the people against whom they testify would find
out and it would have a chilling effect on those who have testified to be frank and
candid. The further dissemination of this information that has not been properly
safeguarded by the Michigan Rule[s] of Evidence could result in an inability to
secure a fair and impartial jury.
Because of the extensive media coverage of the now defunct Wayne County Jail
project has received [sic] it is this Court[’]s belief that there is a reasonable like
hood [sic] that pretrial publicity will prejudice and deny the criminal defendants at
bar . . . a fair trial.
The trial court erred in finding that the gag order was necessary to maintain the secrecy of
the grand jury inquiry and to ensure that defendants received a fair trial. Initially, it is apparent
that the trial judge’s decision was informed by the fact that she was unaware of the grand jury
process. For instance, the trial judge stated that she decided to close the file sua sponte to
prevent public disclosure of the “grand jury transcript or testimony,” which the court assumed
would be included in the lower court file. This assumption was incorrect. Disclosure of
testimony and exhibits used during a grand jury inquiry is automatically prohibited under statute,
making sealing unnecessary. See MCL 767.19f(1) (“Except as otherwise provided by law, a
person shall not publish or make known to any other person any testimony or exhibits obtained
or used, or any proceeding conducted, in connection with any grand jury inquiry.”). Attempting
to convey this fact to the trial court, the prosecutor explained that the chief judge would review
in Dow Jones only prevented the attorneys, the defendants, and the agents and representatives of
the attorneys from making any extrajudicial statement regarding the case, while the gag order in
this case prohibits all potential trial participants from making any extrajudicial statement
regarding the case to the media or an individual for the purpose of public dissemination. See id.
at 605-606.
-9-
the materials considered in the grand jury proceeding and that the discovery materials would
either be released to the parties or sealed and separated from the official court file. Grand jury
testimony is released to the defendant, but not filed with the court and released to the public at
large. See MCL 767.19f(1); MCL 767.19g(2) (describing the process for disclosure of grand
jury testimony to the defendant).
The trial court’s concerns about the Michigan Rules of Evidence and witness
identification are illogical in light of the fact that there will be a public trial. If the prosecutor or
defendants intend to use some of the grand jury materials released to them at trial, the trial court
considers the safeguards imposed by the Michigan Rules of Evidence before those materials are
admitted. Defendants are also entitled to know the identity of the grand jury witnesses who
testified against them if those same witnesses are used to achieve a conviction at trial. See
People v Bellanca, 386 Mich. 708, 712; 194 NW2d 863 (1972) (“We are persuaded that a
defendant charged . . . before a ‘one man grand jury’ must have access to the transcripts of the
testimony of all witnesses for or against him given before the ‘one man grand juror’ in order to
be accorded due process.”). See also MCL 767.19g(2). Presumably, the prosecutor relays this
fact to witnesses before they agree to testify at the grand jury inquiry. Should disclosure of the
witness’s identity cause a “chilling effect” as the trial court feared, the prosecutor may use other
tools to secure the witness’s participation, such as offering immunity or compelling the witness
to appear by subpoena. See MCL 767.19a; MCL 767.19b; MCL 767.21. Further, to the extent
that grand jury materials are admitted at trial or in lower court filings, the Free Press and the
public will have access to them. Therefore, the grand jury inquiry does not justify the entry of a
gag order.
Additionally, there is no basis for the trial court’s finding that pretrial publicity would
likely deny defendants a fair trial. First, the trial court failed to consider evidence on this issue.
The mere fact that there was pretrial publicity does not inevitably lead to the conclusion that
there would be an unfair trial, and the trial court failed to explain the factual basis for the gag
order when the gag order was issued. See Nebraska Press Ass’n, 427 U.S. at 554. Instead, the
trial court’s decision was premised on the trial judge’s “belief” that the pretrial publicity in this
case would deny defendants a fair trial. Second, the trial court failed to discuss the interests
served by the gag order and failed to weigh the need to deter publicity based on the Sixth
Amendment right to a fair trial against the First Amendment rights of the media and public to
access information. “Each right is crucial to the maintenance of a free society. Without freedom
of the press a free society will not long endure. A free press is particularly important when
public officials face criminal charges relating to their use of office.” Dow Jones, 842 F2d at 609.
This is especially true in this case considering the public interest in the Wayne County Jail
Project and the apparent waste of millions of dollars in taxpayer money. The trial court failed to
consider the interests involved and whether defendants’ right to a fair trial justified the prior
restraint. See id.
In addition, the court was required to “explore whether other available remedies would
effectively mitigate the prejudicial [pretrial] publicity.” Dow Jones, 842 F2d at 611. Alternative
measures to ensure the fairness of trial could include a change of venue, postponement of trial, a
focus on the issue during voir dire, or special jury instructions. Id. The trial court failed to
consider any of these measures as alternatives to the gag order. See id.; CBS, Inc, 522 F2d at
-10-
238 (noting that a prior restraint may not be upheld when there are reasonable alternatives with
less of an effect on First Amendment rights).
Finally, the trial court entered the gag order sua sponte. During the hearing on the motion
to vacate the gag order, counsel for Collins remarked the trial court was likely attempting to
protect his client’s rights by entering the gag order, but refrained from asking the trial court to
enforce the order. Counsel for Sledge also conceded that he could not disagree with the Free
Press’s argument that the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct already acted as an
appropriate control on any statements by the parties’ counsels. It is significant that neither
defendants nor the prosecutor originally believed such an order was necessary, and neither
requested that the court uphold the gag order during the hearing. Ultimately, the trial court
lacked an awareness of the issues and did not properly apply the law. Therefore, the gag order
fails to overcome the heavy presumption of unconstitutionality since the trial court completely
failed to support the gag order with findings of fact or conclusions of law. See Dow Jones, 842
F2d at 609 (explaining that the defendants requested the gag order).
Even assuming that the gag order did not constitute a prior restraint, the trial court was
nevertheless required to justify the order. Dow Jones, 842 F2d at 609. When Sixth Amendment
rights are at issue, “the standard by which to measure justification [for a gag order] is whether
there is a ‘reasonable likelihood’ that pretrial publicity will prejudice a fair trial.” Id. at 610
(citation omitted). A gag order must be reasonable and serve a legitimate purpose. See Radio
and Television News Ass’n of Southern California v United States District Court for the Central
District of California, 781 F2d 1443, 1447-1448 (CA 9, 1986). As discussed above, the trial
court failed to make findings of fact or conclusions of law to justify the gag order. See Dow
Jones, 842 F2d at 609. Furthermore, the overbroad scope of the gag order was not reasonable for
the reasons discussed above. See Radio and Television News Ass’n, 781 F2d at 1447-1448.
Therefore, the gag order fails to meet even the lower standard that is applied when there is no
prior restraint. See id.
III. CONCLUSION
The trial court issued a gag order precluding all potential trial participants from making
any extrajudicial statement regarding the case to the media or to any person for the purpose of
dissemination to the public. The overbroad and vague gag order constituted a prior restraint on
the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, and the trial court failed to justify the gag
order. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s decision on the motion to vacate the gag order,
and we vacate the gag order. We do not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ Kathleen Jansen
/s/ Michael F. Gadola
/s/ Jane M. Beckering
-11-