Court won't allow Ohio judge's reporting ban

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s Supreme Court says a county judge can’t bar the media from reporting on a trial.

The court ruled unanimously today that an order by a northwest Ohio judge was unconstitutional.

Judge Keith Muehlfeld of Henry County Common Pleas Court in Napoleon wanted to prevent reporting on a woman’s trial in her child’s death until a jury is seated for the trial of another defendant.

The judge said he was worried that coverage of the first trial could make it difficult to find impartial jurors.

The Blade newspaper of Toledo filed a lawsuit in the state Supreme Court to challenge the order.

The judge’s office said he had no comment on the ruling.