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In the Crossfire

Should TV cameras be allowed in Blake case?

(CNN) -- With the media frenzy heating up, the arrest of actor Robert Blake in the slaying of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, has echoes of the O.J. Simpson case. The effect of cameras in the courtroom in the highly publicized 1995 murder trial of the former football great has been much debated, with some observers suggesting the intense scrutiny had an impact on Judge Lance Ito's handling of the Simpson case.

Defense lawyers Gloria Allred and Jayne Weintraub step into the "Crossfire" with hosts Tucker Carlson and James Carville to debate the issue of whether to televise the trial of a celebrity.

CARLSON: May I ask you a question? Hold on for a second. You're not going to sit there and argue that a camera in the courtroom in no way affects a judge's behavior, having watched Judge Ito? It does affect a judge's behavior, does it not?

CARVILLE: It affected Judge Ito's behavior. That doesn't mean it affects every judge's behavior.

CARLSON: Gloria Allred, does it affect a judge's behavior? Can it? And, if it does, why is it worth it? If it changes the outcome of a trial potentially, why have it?

ALLRED: Well, I think it can affect everyone's behavior. It can affect the judge's behavior, the witnesses' behavior, everyone's behavior. It is very seductive. It is very addictive.

But I think that the judge can be wise enough to guard against that and know that he or she is being watched by everyone.

WEINTRAUB: How do you tell a judge, "Excuse me, don't let your ego get in the way"?

ALLRED: And I don't think it's going to be Simpson redux.

CARVILLE: Can I ask you a question? You're on camera tonight. Is that affecting your behavior or are you saying what you think? Is the fact that you're on camera affecting your behavior or are you saying what you think?

WEINTRAUB: I'm saying what I think, but it's affecting my behavior because I keep looking to see what I look like.

ALLRED: But Court TV is in the courtroom in many trials throughout this country all the time. We see trials being conducted successfully in a dignified manner. I think the Simpson case was -- it did get out of control at certain times. But I think it can be done right.

CARVILLE: I defy anybody to watch Court TV for more than 120 consecutive seconds without falling to sleep.

CARLSON: I know for a fact that Gloria Allred does not talk this way at home when there are no cameras. So I think you're making a case right there.

ALLRED: You'd be surprised. You haven't been in my home.