LIVINGSTON — Lawyers for the state say that when a woman goes on trial a second time on first-degree rape and video voyeurism accusations, the public and the media should be kept out of the courtroom.

However, the defendant, Melanie Curtin, says that evidence jurors will see for the first time will "unequivocally contradict" testimony from her first trial — and that the public is entitled to see her clear her name.

“The defense supports the courtroom being open to the public. This trial is too important to be closed at any point,” defense lawyer Alex Laird said Monday in a text message to WBRZ.

Curtin was arrested amid the high-profile investigation into former Livingston Parish deputy Dennis Perkins. Perkins and his wife Cynthia were arrested in October 2019 and ultimately faced 150 co

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