By: Mark Fitzgerald The Wyoming judge who approved the apparently unprecedented lifelong gag order on convicted murderer Aaron McKinney also has ordered the permanent sealing of 18 documents from McKinney?s trial in the beating death of gay college student Matthew Shepard.
Among the documents sealed in perpetuity are defense and prosecution motions around the issue of ?discovery of information pertaining to Matthew Shepard,? and reports from two forensic psychiatrists. District Judge Barton R. Voigt?s Nov. 8 order sealing the documents was first reported by Cheyenne Wyoming Tribune-Eagle reporter Becky Orr Dec. 15.
?It seems to have been done in deference to the memory of Matthew Shepard and his family. Unfortunately, we?ll never know exactly what the reason was,? Wyoming Press Association (WPA) Executive Director Jim Angell said. The WPA in its January board meeting will consider what, if any, action it can take on Voigt?s ?very disappointing? ruling, he added.
?Judge Voigt went out of his way to keep things open at the beginning of the trial,? Angell said. When attorneys for the two men accused of Shepard?s murder began spatting publicly, however, Voigt imposed a general gag order. ?Unfortunately, I think he may have extended his reasoning a little far.?
As part of the plea bargain that spared McKinney a possible death penalty, he and his defense team are forever barred from discussing the case with news organizations. Voigt approved the gag order despite protests from journalists and civil-liberties groups that it is an unconstitutional and dangerous precedent.
(Editor & Publisher Web Site: http://www.mediainfo.com) [Caption]
(copyright: Editor & Publisher December 18, 1999) [Caption]
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