CHICAGO, October 26, 2012 – Tuesday, October 23, WGN News became the first Chicagoland area news station to provide live broadcasting of a trial. This historic moment took place in the 21st circuit of Kankakee County, an area which moved quickly to implement in-courtroom cameras once the Illinois Supreme Court overturned their decision to ban cameras in courtrooms.

Viewers were able to watch the proceedings of the murder trial of 20 year-old Demetrious Jones, who faces two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm as well as one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

The case is scheduled to continue for the next several days with WGN News continuing live coverage on CLTV with portions covered on WGN News at 5 and 9 p.m.

WGN-TV became involved in working closely with local counties on implementing coverage in their court rooms to help educate viewers on courtroom proceedings that they might not have been previously exposed to.

As of 2008, Illinois was one of only 12 states that prohibited all trial courts from being televised.

WGN-TV is Chicago’s CW network affiliate, programming a strong schedule of news, sports and entertainment, with most WGN Sports telecasts, WGN News and CW programs in high definition on WGN 9.1. WGN-TV programs more news than any other Chicago TV station for WGN-TV and cable news channel CLTV in Chicago; Rockford, IL; and South Bend, IN. WGN 9.2 is Chicago’s home of Tribune Broadcasting’s classic TV network, Antenna TV. WGN also programs for WGN America on cable, telco and satellite throughout the U.S. WGN-TV is a Tribune Broadcasting station. For additional information on Chicago’s Very Own WGN-TV, go to WGNtv.com