Court overturns Sigg hearing decision

The Colorado Supreme Court has overturned a judge’s decision to close a key hearing for the teen suspect accused of killing a 10-year-old Westminster girl and attacking a jogger in May.

In an opinion issued Thursday, justices sided with media organizations who argued that the judge failed to show that holding the hearing in public would jeopardize Austin Sigg’s right to a fair trial or consider other ways to protect Sigg’s rights without shutting out the public.

Judge Stephen Munsinger in December said he closed the hearing because he wanted to ensure a fair trial and to protect the privacy of victims and their families.

Media organizations appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court.

Sigg is accused of kidnapping and killing Jessica Ridgeway in October.