Beverly Reid O'Connell appeared as an Assistant U.S. Attorney representing the FBI during a single but contentious hearing over the Fiato brothers — longtime federal cooperators whose anticipated testimony threatened to impeach Detective Vannatter. She argued for a protective order to shield both Craig and Larry Fiato from broadcast coverage, citing FBI safety measures already in place for the men, including a new identity for Larry Fiato, and persuaded Judge Ito to grant an unusually sweeping restriction that shut down all video, audio, photography, and even courtroom sketch artists. Her brief appearance underscored the rare moment when federal interests collided directly with the trial's proceedings, as the defense sought to use the Fiatos' expected testimony to attack the credibility of a key LAPD detective.