04/15/2006

Unger trial promises a packed courtroom

Media to converge on small village to cover event

By PATRICK SULLIVAN

psullivan@record-eagle.com

BEULAH — Court TV called to find out the trial dates. NBC's "Dateline," ABC's "Primetime," and television stations and newspapers from across the state want permission to put cameras in the courtroom.

An old-fashioned media circus may be on tap for this tiny village on Crystal Lake, when Mark Unger stands trial on a first-degree murder charge. Jury selection is set for April 26.

The Huntington Woods father of two young boys is charged with the killing of his wife, Florence Unger, at a Lower Herring Lake resort in 2003. He is accused of pushing her from a boathouse roof to a concrete slab below and then pushing her unconscious body into the lake to drown.

Unger denied the allegations, and his defense is expected to argue that Florence Unger's death was an accident.

The case is a rare northern Michigan killing that attracted attention outside the region.

It is curious what makes one killing draw national attention while so many others go unnoticed, said Bonnie Bucqueroux, the Victims and the Media program coordinator at Michigan State University's School of Journalism.

To attract national media, a case should have a victim who is attractive, well off, and white, she said.

"The question then becomes whether or not you've got anything else that's exceptional or bizarre about the case," Bucqueroux said. "I don't think it has anything to do anymore with anything about the news" value.

County officials and residents are preparing for the show, whether or not the national media show up.

Sheila Prochnow, co-owner of the Phoenix Cafe, said she hadn't been ready for the rush of customers who showed up during lunch breaks when pre-trial hearings in the case took place.

"We didn't even know what was happening — we weren't staffed for that," said Prochnow, who plans to add extra workers for the trial. "It can only be good for us; maybe we'll be a little overwhelmed."

Kris Randall, 19th Circuit Court administrator, said Court TV inquired about trial dates, but it is unknown whether they will attend.

With the number of other television stations that requested permission to put a camera in the courtroom, the number of reporters expected, and the anticipation that families of Mark Unger and Florence Unger will attend, officials had to be creative to accommodate the crowd.

The courtroom has been extended — the rear wall and doors were moved back several feet into the county building's hallway, making room for several more seats in the small courtroom.

An unused wing of the county building will be opened for media and other spectators, where televisions will feature the trial on a feed from the courtroom.

Benzie County commissioners also decided the lines in the parking lot should be repainted, restrooms needed to be added to the newly opened wing, and extra vending machines should be installed.

Commissioners already approved beefed-up security for the trial — a sheriff's deputy was hired to provide trial security and a metal detector will be installed to screen visitors.