Police say Aaron Saucedo, 23, is the "Serial Street Shooter," who has killed nine people in 12 attacks from August 2015 to July 2016. He's an accused in a series of high-profile murders, but many details in the case against Saucedo have been sealed from the public. Defense attorneys had filed a motion to exclude cameras from his latest court hearing, The Arizona news organizations had pushed for transparency.

Legal battles for information have been waged since Saucedo was initially arrested ion suspicion of killing his mother's boyfriend. He recently was indicted on eight more counts of first-degree murder and his arraignment on the charges was scheduled in Maricopa County Superior Court.

In a closed-door hearing before the arraignment, defense attorneys had argued that media coverage would cause harm to their client's case. They also argued that the request had not been filed in a timely manner and that an evidentiary hearing must be held before a judge could decide about the presence of cameras.

Media houses intervened in the case to argue for the public's right to information and media access under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

David Bodney, an attorney representing media outlets, said it was up to the defense to prove that any potential harm to Saucedo's cause would outweigh the public benefits, as the case was one of "acute public interest."

Commissioner Richard Nothwehr has ultimately denied the request for the evidentiary hearing and granted the camera coverage, saying that images of Saucedo is already circulated in the public. In return, Saucedo's appearance was waived, along with the reading of the charges.

"The defense said that 'nothing significant would come out of it anyway,' " Bodney said. "I disagree that nothing significant could possibly come out of the arraignment of an accused serial killer."

"The press and public play a unique role in monitoring our criminal justice system," Bodney said. "We, the people, have the right and responsibility to view and assess the performance not only of law enforcement officials but also criminal defendants and their lawyers.

"Camera coverage, and careful reporting, should inspire all parties in the criminal justice system to do their very best work."

By Premji