THE O.J. SIMPSON MURDER TRIAL : Photographer Who Was Banned Is Granted Hearing

A Life magazine photographer who was banished from the Criminal Courts Building in Downtown Los Angeles for allegedly trying to shoot a picture outside the O.J. Simpson courtroom was granted a hearing by an appeals court Friday.

Roger Sandler was barred from the building March 21 by Superior Court Judge James H. Bascue. Another photographer had told authorities that Sandler had tried to “surreptitiously” shoot a picture in a hallway where cameras, except those of pool photographers, were forbidden. Sandler, who was not the pool photographer that day, said he had a camera with him but did not take a picture after a colleague told him of the no-camera rule.

Sandler objected to being banned and was granted a hearing. But because of his ouster he was not permitted to attend the hearing by the judge who held it, John H. Reid.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal, in a brief order to Judges Reid and Bascue, said the ban had been issued “without affording Mr. Sandler notice and the opportunity to be heard.”

Reid and Bascue were told to give Sandler a hearing within 14 days. Sandler must be permitted inside the Criminal Courts Building to attend the hearing, the appeals court said. If there is not a hearing within two weeks, then Sandler’s ban will be automatically lifted, the justices ruled.