In the sensational trial of Oleomargarine Heir Minot F. ("Mickey") Jelke III, convicted last year of being pimp for glamorous New York prostitutes, Manhattan General Sessions Judge Francis L. Valente barred newsmen from the courtroom. Judge Valente imposed his press ban after ruling that "extensive press coverage to a case of this kind is catering to vulgar sensationalism" (TIME, Feb 16, 1953). Manhattan dailies promptly handed Valente a failing mark in journalism by giving much more elaborate, tabloid-style coverage to the "mystery" trial than they might have given had the trial been open.
Last week the Appellate Division of New York's...
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