UPDATE: Calif. App. Ct. to LA Times: 'Your Photos Are Ready'

Image via WikipediaLos Angeles Superior Court Judge Hilleri Merritt's order barring publication of  Los Angeles Times photographer Al Seib's courtroom pictures of homicide defendant Alberd Tersargyan has been thrown out by the California Court of Appeal. (See "TUOL" posts on 8/11/10 & 8/6/10.)

In a unanimous opinion written by Judge Sanjay T. Kumar, the appellate court ruled Judge Merritt's ban was an unconstitutional prior restraint that violated the First Amendment.The appeals court said the record failed to show that Tersargyan's right to a fair trial would be impeded by publication of the photos.