Updated: 9/24/2009 5:44:03 PM
Two high profile attorneys who jointly defended Thomas "Zoo Man" Huskey find themselves duking it out on opposite sides of the courtroom in the Troy Whiteside murder case.
The battle shut down cameras in Criminal Court Division III.
Herb Moncier represents the family of Stacey Sudderth in a civil case against the man accused of shooting him. Sudderth was allegedly shot and killed by prominent businessman Troy Whiteside.
Whiteside has contracts with ORNL and has been known to contribute to several political campaigns and charitable efforts. District Attorney Randy Nichols recused himself from prosecuting Whiteside.
On Thursday morning, the lines between a civil case and criminal case were blurred.
Moncier says although he represents the Sudderth family in a civil case against Whiteside, he also believes the family should have a voice in the criminal proceeding as well.
Moncier has filed a motion asking Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz to re-do Whiteside's arraignment, which he says was originally conducted in private.
However, Whiteside's attorney Greg Isaacs says Moncier has no standing in this criminal case.
Isaacs filed a gag order on Thursday morning to bar Moncier and the victim's family from talking to the media.
After a bench conference with attorneys, Judge Leibowitz also shut down the cameras.
Isaacs says Moncier has filed this motion only to create a media circus, while using publicity to create a prejudice against his client.
Moncier says according to Victim's Rights laws in Tennessee, the victim's family has a right to be present at any hearings or criminal proceedings regarding Whiteside.
Both attorneys argued over the other repeatedly, objecting to the other's arguments to Judge Leibowitz.
Moncier told 10 News that he believes Isaacs' antics are a tool to distract from the case.
Judge Leibowitz says she will rule on Moncier's motion for a re-do of Whiteside's arraignment, on Moncier's standing in the case, and on Isaacs' motion for a gag order, next week.
