Reporter and Public Excluded from Court Proceeding Involving Judge

This (Tacoma) News-Tribune editorial describes the exclusion of a reporter and the public from hearing a witness provide testimony in a criminal case against a Pierce County judge.

The Washington state constitution, Article I section 10, is pretty clear on this: "Justice in all cases shall be administered openly, and without unnecessary delay." Of all the things the public needs to see, to know that no one is getting special breaks, is the criminal trial of a judge. This is exactly why Article I section 10 exists.