Chambers County prosecutors and the defense attorney for Sarah Hartsfield are fighting to keep a camera out of the courtroom for her September murder trial.
Hartsfield, 50, is accused of killing her husband Joseph in January of 2023. The diabetic died due to complications of toxic effects of insulin, according to medical examiners, and prosecutors allege Sarah Hartsfield ignored an app alerting her to his dangerously low sugar level while delaying a 911 call.
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TIMELINE: Every development in the Sarah Hartsfield murder case ahead of September trial
KPRC 2 News asked Chambers County District Court Judge Chap B. Cain to issue an order that permitted recording and live streaming of the trial proceedings, scheduled to start Sept. 29.
Despite speaking to the press regularly to seek information and build the case after Sarah Hartsfield’s indictment, prosecutors late Thursday wrote in a court filing that they object to any video recording or broadcasting of the trial.
“A televised trial will make it more difficult to have truly impartial jury, and it risks sensationalism and entertainment over justice,” lead prosecutor Mallory Vargas wrote in the filing.
Vargas indicated concern over potential juror influence as well as heightened nerves for witnesses who testify.
Earlier this year, Vargas filed documents indicating prosecutors wish to bring up more than a dozen alleged crimes from Sarah Hartsfield’s past, for which she’s never been charged, including the fatal shooting of her ex-fiancé, abuse of her children, and a murder plot aimed at the new wife of her third ex-husband. All of those alleged victims live outside of Chambers County.
Case Darwin, Sarah Hartsfield’s defense attorney, told Judge Cain he also objected to any video recording of the trial during a hearing on Friday morning.
But for weeks, Sarah Hartsfield herself made several statements to the press from behind bars, declaring her innocence, via a messaging app and in meetings one-on-one with journalists.
Her frequent statements to the press led to disagreements with a court-appointed defense attorney who previously represented her.
From the bench on Friday, Judge Cain told Vargas and Darwin the case has heightened attention from the press and, “They’re going to cover it anyways.”
Judge Cain, who was elected to the 253rd District Court in 1999, according to his office, has allowed a camera to video proceedings leading up to the trial through a window in a courtroom door, but the trial itself will be held in a courtroom without a window to record through.
He didn’t make a decision on allowing a camera during the trial, but it’s expected to be addressed in the coming weeks.
Darwin refused to answer basic questions after the hearing and quickly walked away from the courtroom.
Those close to the case told KPRC 2 News they haven’t seen Judge Cain allow a camera to the extent that’s been requested, but all have also said this case is unique.