“Dateline NBC,” the long-time TV newsmagazine, garnered approval to have a camera in the courtroom for the upcoming trial of a Geneva man accused of killing his wife, according to court records.
Kane County Judge James Hallock approved extended media coverage in a Jan. 23 order which also granted courtroom access to a local still photographer. NBC and Kane County-based media outlets made the requests in anticipation of Shadwick King’s trial beginning on Feb. 2. It was rescheduled and is now slated to begin on March 2.
King, held on $1.5 million bail, is scheduled for a final pre-trial court appearance on Thursday.
Prosecutors allege King killed Kathleen, his wife of 10 years, “by means of asphyxia” hours after finding text messages detailing her birthday plans with a man she had met during military training. Kathleen King’s body was located on Union Pacific railroad tracks not far from the couple’s home during the early morning hours of July 6.
It is not clear how or why the case popped up on NBC’s radar, or whether the network will be present once the trial commences. On Monday, an NBC spokesman in New York said the network does not comment on its coverage plans for “Dateline.”
King’s arrest last year generated some regional media attention beyond Kane County. However, pre-trial hearings have been followed by local newspapers. A still photographer was present, over the objection of King’s attorney, Kane County Public Defender Kelli Childress, last summer during King’s initial court appearance, records indicate.
Court documents show no indication that prosecutors or Childress lodged objections to NBC’s request to place a video camera and wireless microphones in the courtroom. Hallock’s most recent ruling granted the camera, but stated only existing microphones could be used.
Cameras would not be allowed to cover jury selection or to identify individual jurors.