Joe Hunt v. National Broadcasting Company, Inc. Itc Productions, Inc.

Hunt appeals from the district court’s denial of his motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Hunt unsuccessfully sought to prevent National Broadcasting Company (NBC) from broadcasting a “docudrama” entitled “Billionaire Boys Club,” which was produced by I.T.C. Productions, Inc. (ITC). The district court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1441. We have jurisdiction over Hunt’s timely appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292 (a)(1). We affirm.

I

On October 28, 1987, Hunt filed a complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court requesting a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against NBC’s scheduled broadcast of “Billionaire Boys Club” on November 8 and 9, 1987. At that time, Hunt already had been convicted in Los Angeles for the murder of Ronald Levin, and was awaiting trial in San Mateo County for his alleged role in the murder of Hedayat Eslaminia. Following NBC and ITC’s removal of the case, the district court denied Hunt’s motions, and “Billionaire Boys Club” was aired on November 8 and 9, 1987.

Hunt contended that the broadcast of this docudrama would infringe his sixth amendment right to a fair trial. The docu drama…