S2 Ep139: That's So Cincinnati: Angenette Levy reports from America's most high-profile trials

If it's a high-profile national trial, chances are Cincinnati-based veteran courts and crime reporter Angenette Levy is there. 

The Law & Crime network host and correspondent has been on the ground in Wisconsin for the Kyle Rittenhouse, in Virginia for Johnny Depp-Amber Heard and in Minnesota for Derek Chauvin trials in the past year. 

And a big reason why Levy's been there: Courts in those states allow cameras in the court room. 

Levy, the former Local 12 reporter and anchor, is outspoken about the need for federal courts to begin following most state courts and allow cameras in the courtroom.

"It's time," Levy told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. "With the technology, we have to evolve and give people a peek into the system."

Here in Cincinnati, the issue of cameras in the courtroom came up amid the recent federal public corruption trial of former city councilman P.G. Sittenfeld. Federal court policy prohibits cameras and all electronic devices in the courtroom for federal trials, something that has frustrated the public and journalists, particularly on high-profile cases.

Levy recalled a recent discussion she had with a federal court source.

"This person said they think it hinders justice and people start performing because they believe they're on a stage and they're playing to the cameras. And maybe a little bit of that is true," Levy said. "But I believe in transparency. Courts should be accessible to everyone. Why are we not getting a peek inside? I think it's silly. People are going to perform whether there's a camera there or not. Court is kind of a theater."

Law & Crime is a digital network that serves a similar purpose as Court TV. Law & Crime live streams high-profile cases on its website and social media platforms. Levy has been with the network since late 2020, and Law & Crime often sends her across the U.S. to provide live reports from trials.  

The network often sends Levy across the nation to provide live reports from the courtroom. Levy was in Florida this week reporting on the trial of the Parkland school shooter. 

Levy cohosts Law & Crime's "Sidebar" daily podcast. She also hosts the local radio show "Simply Medicine" at 2 p.m. on Saturday on 55KRC.