Why did the judge deny KJ Biermann's request to close his trial?

A Fulton County Superior Court judge has rejected a request by 15-year-old KJ Biermann to close his courtroom trial amid charges of aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and false imprisonment.

Judge denies closed courtroom but approves limited privacy measures

Judge Melynee Leftridge ruled that KJ Biermann failed to meet the high legal standard required to justify closing the courtroom to the public. The decision was issued following a motion filed by the defendant’s legal team, as reported by Page Six.

The court also declined KJ’s effort to bar prosecutors from referencing information drawn from his juvenile court file. Judge Leftridge determined that limited details from those records were relevant to evaluating his bond conditions.

At the same time, the court granted two protective requests: first, restrictions on media recording and photography during proceedings — limited strictly to what is necessary to uphold other protective orders; second, an order sealing KJ’s juvenile court records, removing them from public access.

Charges stem from alleged April 23 incident in co-ed sauna

KJ was arrested last month on seven felony counts: aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, three separate counts of aggravated sexual battery against a child under 16, and false imprisonment.

The charges follow allegations made by a female classmate who stated that the incident occurred on April 23 inside a co-ed sauna. She claimed KJ attempted to force intercourse by pulling down her pants, compelled her to perform oral sex, and digitally penetrated her vagina.

Defense maintains innocence; mother publicly supportive

Jason Sheffield, KJ’s attorney, issued a statement asserting his client’s complete innocence. Kim Zolciak, KJ’s mother and alumna of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” has stood by her son throughout the court process.

KJ has been released from custody but remains subject to multiple court-imposed restrictions.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).