December 3, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY-- On Thursday, December 4, a federal judge will hear live arguments in Oklahoma Observer v. Patton, the case challenging our state government’s attempt to reduce press access and public accountability in Oklahoma’s execution process.

The American Civil Liberties Union will be arguing on behalf of both local and national media organizations in response to a Motion to Dismiss filed by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office that asserts the press and public do not have an enforceable right to observe or scrutinize executions. The ACLU also will be arguing for a preliminary injunction to prevent the state from carrying out new secrecy protocols at Oklahoma’s next execution that could severely limit press access and allow the state to selectively censor controversial components of the execution process.

Arguments will be held in the courtroom of Judge Joe Heaton (Room 304), in the United States Federal Courthouse in Oklahoma City, at 1:30pm, on Thursday, December 4th.