"Some states might say a blogger is the equivalent of the leafletter of the 18th century and it is protected speech. It is a very difficult First Amendment question that will have to be resolved some day," Hall said.

Might say?

Doesnt seem all that difficult to figure out.

"...citing postings on Internet blogs along with newspaper and television reporting."

So now blogging is on par with newspaper and television reporting, according to this judge?

I guess the bar isn't too high after all.

Strikes me that there is more in depth reporting of CoP and MultCo government activities on this Blog than in the Oregonian, so its obvious that the standards or "bar" set by the local newspaper are not at all high.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a change of venue motion based on allegations of wide-spread local pretrial publicity to such a degree that the ability to empanel a fair and impartial jury is threatened. And blogs are alleged to be a part of that wide-spread local pretrial publicity. Lawyers ought to easily be able to understand that concept, and oughtn't be inclined to conflate it as some kind of assault on freedom of speech.

So now, during voir dire, e-mail addresses and favorite blogs may well become a line of relevant inquiry. Jury disqualification may result. A good hacker may become one more arrow in the quiver of the trial team to monitor communication by jurors during the trial. Judges will need to warn jurors not to communicate by computer in any manner about the case during the trial. I can imagine in the not too distant future post-trial motions for new trial based upon juror misconduct supported by internet communications. What a high tech can of worms.

"So now blogging is on par with newspaper and television reporting, according to this judge?"

I guess you actually need to read the story. NOT "according to the judge".
According to the defendant's lawyer.
The judge hasn't decided.

Could blogs prejudice a defendant's
right to a fair trial? Seems plausible
to me. I read ad naseaum about how blogs
are displacing traditional journalism.

So, try the guilty SOB somewhere else
and convict him there.

Yeah, try Googling the names Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. Read about their torturous deaths at the hands of these four sub-human crackheads. Then, try and feel sorry for them.

I'd say the best form of justice for these four murderers is a noose from the nearest streetlight.