From the AP, April 28

Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. challenges secret court session in Philadelphia corruption trial.

News organizations have challenged a judge's decision to drape a shroud of secrecy over the court proceedings that led to the removal of a juror from a City Hall corruption trial.

U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson closed his courtroom to reporters and members of the public on Wednesday, April 27 while he questioned jurors individually about the conduct of one of their colleagues.

The private session resulted in the dismissal of one female juror whom Baylson ruled had expressed a bias against FBI agents.

Her removal prompted complaints from defense attorneys, who joined Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.--the company that owns The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News--in asking Baylson to release a transcript of the conversations with the jury that led to the dismissal.

Baylson denied the request, but promised to make the transcript available once the trial was over. He said disclosing the contents of the private sessions now could have an "inhibiting and possibly terminating effect" on jury deliberations.

On April 28, a lawyer for The Associated Press wrote a letter to Baylson in support of the motion to release the transcripts.

"As the Court is aware, this case is of intense public interest. Involving alleged corruption in the heart of City government, it is the type of case where a timely and meaningful right of access to the court's proceedings is most important," AP attorney Gayle C. Sproul wrote.

The reconstituted jury restarted its deliberations late Wednesday, April 27. It is trying to decide whether former Philadelphia treasurer Corey Kemp, two executives at Commerce Bank and two other defendants were part of a conspiracy to trade gifts and bribes for government contracts.