Prosecutors immediately appeal the decision by Justice Nancy Mills, and the trial against defendant Mark Strong Sr. in the Kennebunk case grinds to a halt.

Justices side with the newspaper and order the prostitution case screenings opened to the public.

Justice Nancy Mills spoke from the bench briefly Thursday morning after an attorney for the Portland Press Herald appeared to argue that the jury selection process should be opened.

Separate from the trial in Alfred, two men admit to engaging a prostitute and 11 others plead not guilty.

A jury may be seated by Thursday morning in the prostitution case, followed by opening arguments.

The Press Herald files an objection with the court, saying the judge’s decision violates the First and Sixth Amendments.

With jury selection set to start Tuesday in the trial of Mark Strong Sr., one attorney says, “I don’t think you could (find) an impartial jury on Mars.”

And in a ‘bittersweet’ ruling, Daniel Lilley loses his bid to withdraw as Mark Strong’s defense attorney. The trial starts Tuesday.

If the plea talks fall through, Mark Strong Sr. is scheduled to stand trial Tuesday in York County Superior Court.

If they hoped to quickly put the scandal behind them, they may be out of luck.