ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on the fight to release the 911 calls from the Florida nightclub shooting:
Media companies seeking the release of dozens of 911 calls from the mass shooting at a Florida night club argued Thursday that the matter is a state issue and should be removed from federal court.
Rachel Fugate, representing The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times and several other media groups, argued before U.S. District Court Judge Paul G. Byron on Thursday that the FBI and Department of Justice have no place in the case. Fugate argued that the battle between the media and the City of Orlando over the 911 calls should be returned to the state courts.
Byron listened to all sides Thursday, including the U.S. Department of Justice. He didn't immediately rule on whether or he would hear the case or send it to the state level, adding only that his decision would come "in short order."
The recordings being sought also include communications between gunman Omar Mateen and the Orlando Police Department during the attack on Orlando's Pulse nightclub, which killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others. Mateen was killed by police early June 12 after a lengthy standoff at the club.
The city claims the recordings are exempt under public records law.
Attorneys for almost two dozen media groups are arguing in federal court that a lawsuit demanding the release of 911 calls involving the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando should be moved back to state court.
Attorneys for The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times and other media groups are arguing Thursday that the case doesn't belong in federal court.
The case pits the City of Orlando against media companies seeking the release of recordings of dozens of 911 calls as well as communications between gunman Omar Mateen and the Orlando Police Department. Mateen was killed by police in June after a lengthy standoff in a mass shooting that killed 49 people and wounded 53 others.
The city claims the recordings are exempt under public records law.
