Fort Wayne reporter found in contempt for texting - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Fort Wayne reporter found in contempt for texting

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FORT WAYNE -

A reporter for a Fort Wayne radio station has been found in contempt of court for using a smartphone during a hearing where a man pleaded guilty to bludgeoning a 9-year-old girl to death.

The Journal Gazette reports WOWO-AM news director Dave Wheaton told Allen County Judge Fran Gull he didn't see signs around the courthouse warning that cellphones and other electronic devices weren't allowed.

The ban went into effect in 2007 after cellphone cameras were used to take pictures and videos of witnesses and jurors in a murder case.

Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Sandberg testified Tuesday that Wheaton was sending a text message during a hearing Friday when Michael Plumadore pleaded guilty to murder.

Gull found Wheaton in contempt of court and ordered the phone destroyed.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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