January 8, 2009
Harris gag rule effort is dropped
Suspects' lawyers withdraw requests day before hearing
Two Baltimore defense attorneys have withdrawn requests for a court order that would have barred attorneys and police officers from publicly discussing the case against the two men accused of killing former City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr.
Attorneys for The Baltimore Sun, WBAL-TV and WJZ-TV had opposed the gag order in filings in District Court this week. A hearing on the dispute was scheduled this morning, but late yesterday, Assistant Public Defender Maureen Rowland and defense attorney Jan Bledsoe withdrew their requests.
"We are happy that we can continue to provide full coverage of this matter of significant public importance," said Karen Kaiser, an attorney for the Tribune Co., which owns The Baltimore Sun. "Gag orders restrict the public's ability to learn about a trial, and they decrease transparency in the court system. We will continue to fight for the public's right to access information."
Public defenders in Baltimore have increasingly sought gag orders in high-profile criminal cases, including those of Mark Castillo, who is accused of drowning his three children in the bathtub at an Inner Harbor hotel, and Brandon Grimes, who is awaiting sentencing for the murder of an off-duty police detective.
Harris was shot and killed in September in an armed robbery outside a popular Northeast Baltimore jazz club. Police charged Charles Y. McGaney, 19, and Gary Collins, 20, in the killing last week.
Judges routinely grant gag orders if no one appears in court to oppose them. Neither the court nor the defense attorneys are required to notify the news media when one is requested, and the result has been that reporters don't learn that their sources are prohibited from speaking until weeks or months after an order has been approved.
The language in the requests is also so broad that it prevents the release of hearing dates or the retelling of events already in the public record.
Mixx it!
Get home delivery of The Sun and save over 50% off the newsstand price
Copyright © 2009, The Baltimore Sun
 2009 city homicidesHomicides since Jan. 1: 9 > Search our interactive database of homicides in Baltimore City  Baltimore City photosSee what's going on in your neighborhood > More photo galleries  A roundup of crimes reported in Baltimore City and Baltimore County |
Popular stories: Maryland News
- Remains of Civil War soldier found at Antietam
- 1 killed, 2 hurt in head-on crash in Pasadena
- Baltimore-area bars cashing in on Ravens' playoff run
- Maryland may use reserve fund to reduce shortfall
- City police adjusting tactics amid spate of violence
 | |
Charm CityscapesSubmit photos of scenes around the city and look at those from other readers Also see: My Maryland | |