The Latest: Judge allows newspaper shooting video at trial

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Latest on a pretrial hearing in the case of a man accused of killing five people at a Maryland newspaper:

12:15 p.m.

A Maryland judge has ruled graphic video of a shooting inside a newspaper office that killed five people can be shown during the suspect’s trial.

Judge Laura Ripken said Wednesday during a pretrial hearing that she agreed with prosecutors, who described the surveillance video as “a witness” in the case.

Ripken denied a request by lawyers for Jarrod Ramos to block most of the video from being shown at trial. They argued its graphic nature made it “unfairly prejudicial” to their client, who is charged with first-degree murder and other charges.

Ramos has pleaded not guilty and not criminally responsible, Maryland’s version of an insanity defense. His trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 4.

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1:03 a.m.

A judge is scheduled to hear arguments from attorneys again on whether graphic video of a shooting at a Maryland newspaper can be used at the alleged gunman’s trial.

Judge Laura Ripken is presiding over a pretrial hearing Wednesday.

Ripken arranged to watch the newspaper’s surveillance video after court on Tuesday in the case against Jarrod Ramos, who is charged with killing five people at the Capital Gazette. She could rule as early as Wednesday.

An attorney for Ramos says parts of the video are so upsetting to watch that they could prejudice the jury. Elizabeth Palan says photographs could be used instead.

Prosecutor Anne Colt Leitess says the recording is “the most important evidence in the case.”

Other pretrial matters also are scheduled to be discussed at the hearing.