Appeals court blocks evidence at historic trial

TALLAHASSE, Fla. — A Florida appeals court is blocking the release of documents that are supposed to be key evidence in the state's historic redistricting trial.

The 1ST District Court of Appeal ruled Thursday that the documents obtained from a Republican consultant are privileged and must remain confidential.

The ruling overturned a decision from Judge Terry Lewis to allow the documents to be used in an ongoing trial over whether state legislators broke the law when drawing up new political maps.

Voters in 2010 passed the "Fair Districts" amendment that says districts cannot be drawn in a way to favor incumbents or members of a political party.

A coalition of groups contends legislators drew up maps for congressional seats that violate those standards. Attorneys for the Legislature call the allegations false.

WFTV