Cole Goldberg on CBS 23 WIFR

In September 2026, national fair trial advocate Cole Goldberg joined reporter Sydni Stoffregen on CBS 23 WIFR (Rockford News First) to answer a question that matters in every high-profile case: can someone still get a fair trial in the age of true crime?

Cole Goldberg, national advocate for fair trials, on CBS 23 WIFR▶ Watch the interview

In his words

"You can change the venue, but you can't change what's already been posted on the internet."
"I mean, legally, the burden never shifts, but practically, the defense may also be fighting opinionated jurors."
"Jurors have to look at all the evidence and decide whether the prosecution actually proved every element of the crime."

What the interview covers

  • How people form opinions from headlines before a trial even begins
  • Why true crime podcasts, news and social media make an impartial jury harder to find
  • Why a change of venue is less effective once a case has gone viral
  • Balancing courtroom transparency with the commentary that surrounds jurors

Why this conversation matters

The presumption of innocence depends on jurors who judge a case on the evidence in front of them. When a story has already played out online for months, that becomes much harder. Cole lived that gap between public opinion and the courtroom, and he now speaks about protecting fair trials in high-profile cases.

Interview details

More from Cole: About Cole Goldberg  ·  NewsNation  ·  LiveNOW from FOX  ·  Book Cole to speak