Defense in Ohio murder trial challenges gag order

CLEVELAND (AP) — Attorneys for a Cleveland man on trial in the killings of 11 women are challenging a gag order barring lawyers from commenting outside court.

Attorneys for 51-year-old Anthony Sowell filed the challenge today before formal jury selection began.

They say Judge Dick Ambrose’s gag order is overly broad and violates their free-speech rights. The order warns of possible jail time for the duration of the trial for comments made by lawyers outside court.

The defense says its limited public comments have done nothing to prejudice the case.

Prosecutors also are governed by the gag order and will get a chance to respond to the defense challenge.