Judge Bars Social Media from Balfour Trial

The judge in the trial of a man accused of murdering actress and singer Jennifer Hudson's family has strictly barred tweeting from inside court.

A liaison for Judge Charles Burns said Thursday that officials will monitor the Twitter accounts of courtroom reporters to ensure they aren't sneaking tweets from the trial.

The spokesman, Irv Miller, says the judge will allow reporters to send brief emails from court in recognition of the intense interest in the case.

Miller says the judge is prohibiting tweeting, as well as Facebook posting from court, because the constant typing on cellphones could distract jurors and other participants.

Potential jurors were collecting questionnaires Thursday in the murder trial of William Balfour with direct questioning by the judge starting Monday.

Testimony is set to begin April 23.