Hearing closed for mid-Missouri prosecutor’s criminal case

Special Master Judge Hadley Grimm closed Shayne Healea’s hearing Wednesday morning.

Grimm, appointed by Circuit Judge Rick Tucker to handle Healea’s alleged Sixth Amendment violation by the Columbia Police Department and state’s Attorney General’s Office, said Healea’s right to a fair trial outweighed the public’s right to observe the particular issue at hand.

Grimm allowed an ABC 17 News and Columbia Daily Tribune reporter to argue on behalf of keeping the courtroom open. Tribune reporter Rudi Keller said the case was important to the public, considering it involved an elected official and the possible mishandling of evidence by public agencies.

Darrell Moore, representing the Attorney General’s Office, said he would typically oppose such a motion to close the hearing, but agreed that Healea might be further prejudiced should the public be able to view the contents of a recorded call between he and his attorney the night of his arrest.

Grimm will write a report to Judge Tucker after hearing evidence in Healea’s motion to toss out his charges. While Grimm said that report will be public, Healea’s attorney Shane Farrow said he would most likely ask Grimm seal that report, making it unavailable to the public.