Family Loses Bid To Seal SeaWorld Death Images
ORLANDO (CBS4) – The family of a SeaWorld Orlando trainer who was killed by a killer whale at the park lost their request to block the release of video and photos of her death.
A federal judge in Orlando denied the motion Thursday which was filed by the family of Dawn Brancheau.
Brancheau's husband, mother, brother and sister had wanted to keep the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration from publicly releasing copies of videos or photographs depicting the death or efforts to revive her.
However, Brancheau's family won a round in its bid to ensure video of her death isn't played publicly during a hearing set to begin next week, in which SeaWorld is challenging OSHA's findings.
OSHA blasted SeaWorld after its investigation, accusing the park of allowing trainers to work with killer whales without adequate protection. SeaWorld rejected OSHA's claims, and appealed.
The administrative judge in that case has granted the family "limited party status," giving them the ability to object if attorneys for OSHA attempt to play the tape.
In legal filings, the family's lawyers also say the judge has informed them that he will not allow the material to be played publicly during the hearings.
Brancheau died Feb. 24, 2010, during a show featuring Tilikum, a killer whale.
Lawyers for the family have said releasing the images would serve no public purpose.
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