FL Papers appeal ruling on Earnhardt photos: Two newspapers have filed an appeal challenging the constitutionality of a law restricting access to autopsy photos. The Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel filed a brief Wednesday in the 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach challenging the constitutionality of the Family Protection Act, passed after Dale Earnhardt’s death. Under the law, upheld by a circuit judge last July, unauthorized people who view or copy autopsy photos can be fined $5,000 for committing a felony. Proponents of the law say it protects families from seeing their relative’s autopsy photos published or placed on the Internet. The newspapers argue that the law — which was championed by Earnhardt’s wife, Teresa — is too broad and will restrict the use of autopsy photos for teaching purposes.(Sporting News/AP)(12-12-2002)
