Unaired 'Vegas DA' reality TV show sparks controversy by recording defendant's chat with lawyer
At the request of Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, the Las Vegas criminal court system has been cooperating with the producers of Las Vegas D.A., a “docudrama” about his work.
But not every defense lawyer is smiling for the camera, and footage of a chat between attorney Frank Kocka and a client has sparked controversy, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Court filings say the conversation was somehow recorded without Kocka’s permission. It was then immediately destroyed, at his request, Wolfson has said. However, counsel for a codefendant of Kocka’s client have requested a hearing to try to determine what was said and, if a recording still exists, get hold of it, the article recounts.
Defense attorney Dean Kajioka is arguing that the DA’s office has an obligation to reveal any exculpatory information, regardless of whether a record of it exists. A hearing is scheduled in March.
The Investigation Discovery cable channel is expected to air six episodes of Las Vegas D.A. later this year. It isn’t known what cases will be the focus of the program.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Las Vegas DA to seek county OK for reality TV show about cold and closed cases”
