Update on motion for sanctions and motion to unseal documents from ethercat.
This was a Motions Hearing to decide on:
Plaintiffs' Motion for Sanctions
Plaintiffs' Motion to Unseal Documents
Relevant documents are linked in this thread:
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint ... l#msg23680On the Motion for Sanctions, Judge Hydrick found that Narconon of Georgia had deliberately abused the discovery process, and will impose sanctions. She is undecided as to what the sanctions will be as yet, but asked the Plaintiffs' attorneys to draft an order with the facts, and leave the sanctions for her to fill in.
On the Motion to Unseal Documents, Judge Hydrick ordered the Narconon attorneys to go through the documents currently under seal, and page by page, indicate exactly what the privacy interests were and why they should take precedence over the public's right to access the documents. She stated that this should have been done prior to the hearing, and gave them 11 days in which to do this. She had to clarify to them that it is not their position to ask "what would the public need this for", nor is it the court's concern what the public does with the documents that are available to them.
Scheduling was also discussed, and the Plaintiffs' attorneys requested a trial as soon as possible. Judge Hydrick had an opening in September 2012, with the next not being until May 2013. Narconon International's attorneys argued that September was too soon for them, since they had just taken over as NN Int's legal team. Other options were discussed (such as waiting for a slot as a backup when another scheduled case might be settled or delayed), but due to his job, Major Desmond needs more notice to attend than that would provide. No decision was made on scheduling today, and Judge Hydrick will think about what the best solution to this problem is.
Of special note: Major and Mrs. Desmond were in the courtroom today. I find I need a "respect" smiley here, and don't have one. The Desmonds deserve a great deal of respect for their bravery and strength, and they certainly have mine.