Media & Communications Law

'Romeo Killer' back on Lifetime TV weekend lineup after NY appeals court steps in

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A New York appeals court has effectively reversed a trial judge’s prior restraint of a true-crime television movie scheduled to air on Saturday about a murder committed by Christopher Porco.

In a rule to show cause order (PDF) issued Thursday, the Appellate Division, 3rd Department, stayed an earlier order banning Lifetime Television from promoting or showing the movie, Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story, and set an April 10 hearing date for Porco to show why the previous temporary restraining order against airing the movie should not be vacated, according to Fox News.

Romeo Killer is now expected to air on Lifetime at 8 p.m. eastern time on Saturday. A Lifetime website links to footage and information about the movie.

The network is now treating the controversy as a promotional plus, calling Romeo Killer the “Lifetime Original Movie Chris Porco doesn’t want you to see,” notes a Hollywood Reporter article.

Related coverage:

Daily News: “Wherefore art thou ‘Romeo Killer’? On Lifetime”

Times Union (2011): “Court says no to Porco”

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