Judge issues gag order in Wilkinsburg mass killing

A judge on Wednesday issued a gag order for all parties in the case of two men accused of gunning down five people and an unborn child at a Wilkinsburg cookout last year.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge David Cashman granted a request by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office and one of the defense attorneys, Wendy Williams, to prevent everyone involved from saying anything before trial.

The reason, they said, is that pretrial publicity will make jury selection difficult. The judge said that the last time he had a highprofile case such as this one, it tooka month to pick a jury.

The district attorney’s office had asked that defense lawyers for Cheron Shelton and Robert Thomas be barred from making statements outside of court, as they did after a June 7 conference. Ms. Williams, who will represent Shelton in the penalty phase if he is convicted of firstdegree murder, filed a similar motion covering all witnesses or potential witnesses.

Randall McKinney, who represents Shelton for the trial, and Casey White, who represents Thomas, agreed with the gag request and so did the judge.

In addition to all witnesses or potential witnesses, the order covers police, jail employees and the families of the victims.

Mike Manko, spokesman for the DA, will be allowed to communicate procedural matters as the case progresses.

Mr. Manko said the next status conference is July 31.