Media appeals gag order ruling in Blankenship criminal case
Source: Associated Press
Media appeals gag order ruling in Blankenship criminal case
| February 20, 2015
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — News outlets are appealing a judge's ruling over a gag order in ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's criminal case.
Blankenship was CEO when the Upper Big Branch Mine in southern West Virginia exploded, killing 29 men in 2010.
The Associated Press and other outlets appealed the ruling Friday in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It asks the court to make court documents public.
In January, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger ruled that much of her gag order was necessary to keep prospective jurors unbiased. Berger made opinions and orders public, but kept most documents sealed. She continued restricting attorneys or relatives of victims from discussing the case with reporters or releasing court documents.
Blankenship is charged with conspiring to violate safety and health standards at Upper Big Branch.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Media-appeals-gag-order-ruling-in-Blankenship-6092398.php
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Don Blankenship [/center]
