Philadelphia Lawyers Ordered to Apologize for Disturbing 'Scream Test'

A federal judge mandates apologies from lawyers after a predawn test with recorded screams alarms a South Philadelphia neighborhood.

U.S. Judge John F. Murphy criticized the lawyers for using poor judgment in conducting the hour-long test on September 23.
The test was part of a civil rights lawsuit against Philadelphia, questioning if screams could be heard from two blocks away.
Residents near South Broad Street and Passyunk Avenue were disturbed, especially as the test occurred near homes and a day care center.
Lawyers must apologize both in writing and in person to affected residents by the end of October.
The case involves Termaine Hicks, whose wrongful conviction for sexual assault was vacated after 19 years in prison.