Why denied entry at Dugan hearing?

On July 29 , I was at the DuPage County courthouse to see the Brian Dugan hearing. To my dismay I was not allowed entry. Only family members of victims, the press and State's Attorney Joe Birkett's employees were permitted entry. None of the press accounts, including the Daily Herald, reported this fact.

I consider this closed hearing by Judge George Bakalis a flagrant violation of our Constitutional right to a public hearing. DuPage isn't Guantanimo Bay where terrorists are denied rights of U.S. citizens, or is it?

The Herald reported that Dugan was not permitted to make a statement after he pleaded guilty. Hello, what is going on here; aren't defendants allowed to customarily do such things?

Fellow DuPage residents, this is how our rights can be gradually eroded away. Even a heinous murderer is guaranteed a fair and impartial hearing in a court of law. Only in DuPage could we expect otherwise. Without a public outcry these abuses will only continue.

Paula McGowen

Glen Ellyn