A federal judge barred the general public and media from a courtroom Tuesday where defense lawyers claim emotional testimony from victims has spoiled the death penalty phase of the trial of a man who admits that he killed eight people on a bike path on behalf of a terrorist group.
Judge Vernon S. Broderick issued the edict on Friday at the trial of Sayfullo Saipov through a court spokesperson who wrote that courtroom seats would only be available to witnesses or parties considered essential to the trial.
