A judge has ruled that some testimony and documents in the trial of Boise, Idaho-based St. Luke's Health System may remain closed from public access, denying an attempt from several media organizations to open all testimony and transcripts, according to an Idaho Statesman report.
The antitrust case involves defendant St. Luke's and the Federal Trade Commission and Boise-based Saint Alphonsus Health System as plaintiffs. The case went to trial two weeks ago, and U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued a pretrial order that closes public access to the courtroom for some testimony, purportedly to protect the trade secrets of the parties involved.
The Idaho Statesman, The Times-News, The Associated Press, Idaho Press-Tribune and the Idaho Press Club filed a motion to intervene and keep proceedings open to the public last week.
Every party to the lawsuit opposed the news organizations' request to open the trial, according to the report.
Yesterday, Judge Winmill ruled that some documents can remain concealed from the public, but attorneys must show a "compelling" reason for hiding information, according to the report.
The judge said his ruling was a reasonable medium, saying the court cannot protect trade secrets "with a broad axe" or "with a scalpel." He has ordered lawyers for the health systems, the FTC and the Idaho attorney general to file affidavits over the next week explaining why each sealed document and witness statement should be closed off to the public.
Judge Winmill will review the documents and testimony to ensure businesses are not misusing their trade secret status, according to the report.
More Articles on the St. Luke's Trial:
Legal Battle Between St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus Over Physician Acquisition to Begin
Motion Filed to Open Court Proceedings in St. Luke's Antitrust Case
Opening Statements Delivered in St. Luke's Antitrust Case