Just as the media circus was beginning in Philadelphia for the Alycia Lane-Larry Mendte civil case, CBS Corp., the anchors’ former employer, filed an appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking that the case be moved to a different venue.
According to WCAU, Chief Justice Ron Castille issued a stay in the case just moments before jury selection was set to begin Friday morning so that the appeal could be heard.
Earlier this morning, the civil judge issued a gag order prohibiting the use of electronic devices in the courtroom.
The case was frontpage news as Lane and Mendte arrived in Philadelphia this week and local stations, including WCAU and WTXF, discussed the trial during their morning newscasts today.
>Update: WCAU has gained additional information about the stay from Lane’s lawyer:
Four other courts have heard and denied CBS’s request to move the location of the trial, according to Paul Rosen, Lane’s attorney. When talent sign contracts with the company, they agree to settle any contract disputes in New York. Lane’s attorneys have argued successfully before two lower courts and two appeals courts, that the civil case against the company is about defamation and neglect and not a contract dispute.