Judge Deciding Google Antitrust Fate Criticized for Closed Court

Amit P. Mehta, the federal judge overseeing the Justice Department’s fight with Alphabet Inc.'s Google, brings antitrust experience and a reputation for thoroughness to the high-stakes trial playing out in his Washington, D.C., courtroom.

Mehta, a judge on the US District Court for the District of Columbia, is weighing allegations that Google illegally monopolized the market for search engines through a web of contracts with major tech companies. Mehta is deciding the case without a jury, and has drawn fire for decisions on publicizing evidence and whether to close the courtroom for parts of the proceedings.

If Mehta decides in ...