The Denver Post
Judge expands trial's gag order
Thursday, August 05, 2004 -
Hours after lawyers for Kobe Bryant's accuser appeared on national television, the judge presiding over the case told all participants in the pending trial to stop making any public comment.
Only when Bryant's trial is over can they speak publicly, said state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle. Included in the order are all attorneys connected to the case, including Lin Wood and John Clune, lawyers for the accuser. Wood and Clune appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" with Diane Sawyer on Wednesday and later taped a segment for MSNBC's "The Abrams Report" with Dan Abrams. Steven Zansberg, a lawyer for The Denver Post, said the directive "appears to be an overbroad order." "Other courts have held such restrictions on attorneys' speech to be unconstitutional," Zansberg said. "It prohibits the attorneys from saying anything about the case, including when is the next hearing date or what date does the trial begin." Ruckriegle issued the order after Bryant's attorneys called his attention to various comments made in the media. Ruckriegle said that the comments caused him serious concern and that, should they continue, Bryant's fair-trial rights might be affected. With the trial set to begin in 23 days, the judge said there is a "high likelihood" more comments would affect a fair trial. He warned that if they continued, he would take strong disciplinary action. The judge then issued an order expanding an earlier gag order pertaining to prosecutors, law enforcement authorities and defense attorneys. Those ordered Wednesday not to say anything include: The alleged victim and her agents. All witnesses. All persons who have attended closed hearings. Prosecutors and their agents. Bryant and his agents. Persons who share an office with any of the people he previously named. |