Why would the judge do this? It isn’t the norm for murder cases, is it?
Gag orders are not uncommon in high profile cases, IMO, and Danielle’s case has received a lot of media coverage especially locally.
In the Kelsey Berreth murder case, the defense’s motion for a gag order was denied by the judge:
Updated: 5:40 PM MST December 31, 2018
“During Monday’s court appearance, the judge also ruled on motions filed by the defense, including over-turning a request to limit pre-trial publicity. At this point, the judge will not issue a gag order and it’s up to the defense and prosecution to limit the flow of information related to Berreth’s disappearance.”
Kelsey Berreth’s fiancé charged with 5 counts, including first-degree murder
Here is a case in which a gag order was put in placed but tossed out by the state supreme court a year later:
March 05, 2018
“It was a win for the First Amendment. The Georgia Supreme Court voted unanimously to toss out the gag order that’s been in place for a year in the high-profile Tara Grinstead case.
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Gag orders are typically issued to prevent prejudice or bias during pre-trial publicity that could influence potential jurors. The initial gag order prevented potential witnesses from speaking about the case and sealed court records, but that order was later softened and records were unsealed.
Now, without a gag order, law enforcement officers may choose to speak publicly about the Grinstead case. And presumably additional information on the case should be more easily obtained. “
Gag order in Tara Grinstead case tossed by Georgia Supreme Court
Here are a couple of examples from Michigan:
6:52 pm EDT September 8, 2014
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Detroit — In what was to be the final conference before Bob Bashara goes on trial on murder charges, a Wayne Circuit judge on Monday suggested he consider whether to accept ‘a potential resolution’ that was discussed privately in the judge’s chambers.
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After Monday’s hearing, Bashara’s attorney Lillian Diablo was asked whether she was working on a plea deal with prosecutors. She said she couldn’t comment, citing a gag order, but added: ‘Stay tuned for further developments.’”
Judge says ‘resolution’ possible in Bashara murder case
Published November 16, 2007
Last Update March 25, 2015
“A judge issued a gag order this week that bars police, lawyers, witnesses and court employees from discussing facts in the stabbing, beheading and mutilation slaying of Daniel Gene-Vincent Sorensen.
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Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 17, and Alexander Letkemann, 18, have been charged in the brutal decapitation death of a 26-year-old registered sex offender in Michigan whose headless body was left to burn in a subdivision.
Lawyers for Orlewicz, a Canton High senior, filed the motion Wednesday, saying that comments by
[Wayne County Prosecutor Kym] Worthy and police hurt chances for a fair trial. Announcing the pair's arrest Monday, she described the crime as ‘bone-chilling,’ ‘horrific’ and a ‘thrill kill.’”
Judge Issues Gag Order in 'Thrill Kill' Death of Decapitated Sex Offender | Fox News
