COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Vinton County judge issued a gag order last Tuesday in the case of the 16 children rescued from a home in Vinton County.
Authorities say the 16 children were removed from the home after finding them living in deplorable conditions.
Four people are now charged in connection to the case. On Tuesday, a Vinton County judge issued a gag order in the case of Gary Siders Jr. He’s one of the people charged.
Court documents also reveal that Siders Jr.’s attorney filed a motion earlier in the day for the order, citing concerns about Siders Jr. ability to receive a fair trial, following remarks made about the case by local and state leaders and the publicity of the case so far.
Legal expert and Case Western Reserve University Law Professor Jonathan Entin says while gag orders aren’t always popular, there are times they are warranted, but says in a case like this, it might be too little too late.
“This is such an extraordinary situation. People are talking about, right? And it’s not just neighbors over the over the backyard fence. I mean, these days with the internet, there are potentially massive amounts of speculation going on out there, and those kinds of speculations might be problematic as well and a gag order doesn’t really get at that. But again, the question is not, is this the perfect solution? It’s is it a good enough solution?” said Entin.
He goes on to say that while in some cases a change of venue can help ensure a fair trial, he’s not sure that would be the case here because of how widely this case is being discussed.
It’s not yet clear if the gag order will also eventually apply to the other three defendants.
Emani Payne
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