The problem of media coverage and pre-trial publicity affecting the fairness of a criminal trial goes back to what era and historical event?
A) the 1635 trial of pilgrims accused of being cruel to Indians following the first Thanksgiving
B) the 1807 trial of Aaron Burr, accused of treason
C) the 1865 trial of John Wilkes Booth for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln
D) the 1955 trial of mobster "Big Willie" Anderson for the murder of a local politician
E) the 1998 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The problem of media coverage and pre-trial publicity affecting the fairness of a criminal trial dates back to the 1807 trial of Aaron Burr, who was accused of treason. The case was highly publicized in newspapers and influenced public opinion against Burr before the trial had even begun. This led to concerns about the impartiality of the jury and ultimately impacted the outcome of the case. Since then, the issue of a fair trial in the face of media coverage and pre-trial publicity has become a recurring problem in the justice system.

The Problem of Media Coverage and Pre-Trial Publicity Affecting the Fairness