December 14, 2004
Peterson death sentence relayed via messaging
Much of the online world was glued to computer screens Monday to hear the jury in the Scott Peterson double-murder trial call for the death penalty, reports News.com.
"A number of news organizations broadcast live audio of the sentencing recommendation, including a live report from inside the courtroom delivered via short text messaging. The decision was announced at approximately 1:50 p.m. PST.
Peterson's death penalty sentencing was covered live via a wireless device, adding a new dimension to TV news coverage. "
According to Cyberjournalist.net, throughout the event, KCRA-TV's Edie Lambert sent text messages that the station aired live on TV in a scrolling text window. The power of this was made clear as the jurors entered the room -- viewers heard nothing on the audio feed, but found out from Lambert's text messages several tellling details that indicated the decision minutes before it was read:
LIVE TEXT MESSAGE: "Juror eleven winked at sharon rocha" "Foreman looked at sharon rocha as he sat down"
Related article:
-- Scott Peterson trial verdict to be sent out by SMS - In a novel twist on how Television gets the message, those addicted to the Scott Peterson trial, can sign up on Court TV for instant text messages with the jury's verdict.
The crime and punishment cable channel is allowing its Web site users to sign up for free wireless text messages that will announce both when the jury has come back from deliberations and the verdict. The second will simply contain the words "guilty" or "not guilty."
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