Son allowed to testify via closed circuit TV in Dad's murder trial (Columbia, Missouri)

We've reported on dad KRAIG KAHLER before, who is accused of murdering his wife, his two daughters, and his wife's grandmother.

http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2009/11/dad-charged-with-capital-murder-in.html

His 11-year-old son survived the slaughter, and will be testifying at his father's trial via closed circuit TV after requests for a pre-recorded interview were denied. The mother was in the process of divorcing the father, and he was hassling her about custody when the four family members were killed.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kbia/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1653005/KBIA.Local/Son.Allowed.to.Testify.Via.Closed.Circuit.TV.in.Father

Son Allowed to Testify Via Closed Circuit TV in Father's Case

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI (KBIA) -

An Osage County District Court ruled that Sean Kahler would be allowed to testify via closed-circuit television in the case of his father, Kraig Kahler. Former Columbia Water and Light Director Kraig Kahler is charged with the murder of his wife, two daughters and his wife's grandmother.

An 11-year-old boy will be allowed to testify against his father at a hearing next month, without actually being in the courtroom. Sean Kahler is the sole survivor of a shooting last Thanksgiving that left his mother, two sisters and grandmother dead. Former Columbia Water and Light Director Kraig Kahler has been charged with the shooting. At a hearing Wednesday, a judge ruled that Sean Kahler will be allowed to testify in a different room at the courthouse via closed circuit television. Spokesperson for Kansas Attorney General's office Gavin Young says the prosecutors are considering the unique circumstances surrounding Sean Kahler's testimony.

"The social worker who has been working with the child witness in this case had made it pretty clear to the prosecution team that the closed circuit testimony would by far be the best option."

Young says a recent precedent deals with child witnesses. But Kraig Kahler's defense attorney Tom Haney says he didn't want the son to have to testify against his father at all. Haney says he pushed for prosecutor's to use a pre-recorded interview with Sean Kahler at the hearing. He says he believes this ruling is unconstitutional.

"The Constitution says that any person accused of a crime for the last 150 years has the right to confront or face their accuser."

Haney says he will fight the decision on appeal.