Family of slain Calif. girl opposes lifting of gag order to keep details of murder private
By APThursday, May 20, 2010
Family of slain CA girl opposes ending gag order
STOCKTON, Calif. — A lawyer for the family of a Northern California girl killed by her playmate’s mother is seeking to stop details of her slaying from being released.
The family of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu opposes lifting the gag order in the case. The family’s lawyer says in a motion filed Thursday that the release of murder details would be “not only morally reprehensible but unconstitutional.”
The motion also seeks to keep under seal any documents related to examinations of the victim’s body and crime scene photographs.
A San Joaquin County judge maintained the gag order after Melissa Huckaby pleaded guilty to murder last week.
The Associated Press, Bay Area News Group and The Record of Stockton have sought to lift the order, citing public interest.
Huckaby’s sentencing is scheduled for June 14.
