The Flying Imams Request for Closed Court Denied

The Flying Imams asked a federal judge to hold closed proceedings in their case, citing death threats and that the Imams have been "unfairly critized in press reports and internet blogs." Too bad, you morons.

In her letter to Mohammedi denying the motion, Minnesota Federal District Court Judge Ann Montgomery declined to treat the case "in the extraordinary manner you suggest." She succinctly explained to Mohammedi:

Under the First Amendment, the public and the press have a significant interest in full access to all judicial proceedings, both criminal and civil. You have provided no legal authority supporting your request to limit public access to this case. While it is regrettable that anonymous individuals have threatened violence, the Court Security Officers will insure that the United States Courthouse here in Minneapolis is secure.

Yeah, unlike say a country under Sharia law, our court proceedings are held in public--that is the price of freedom--that you may be critized in public, you lobotomized, mental midgets.