Stone says he should be free to speak in Russia probe case

WASHINGTON — A federal judge shouldn’t bar longtime Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone from making public statements about his criminal case in the Russia investigation, his attorneys said Friday.

Defense lawyers say in a court filing that any limits on Stone’s public comments would infringe on his right to free speech.

They made the argument as U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson is considering a gag order preventing both sides in the case from making public statements that could prejudice potential jurors.

Jackson raised the issue last week as she told Stone not to treat his criminal case like a “book tour,” referring to post-indictment talk show appearances Stone made in which he attacked the investigation as politically motivated.