Judge bars Chuck Turner from discussing pre-trial evidence

The US Attorney's office won a round today when a federal magistrate agreed to its request for an order keeping embattled City Councilor Chuck Turner from publicly discussing "discovery" evidence turned over to his lawyers as a matter of course by prosecutors.

The feds says they sought the order after Turner held a series of interviews and rallies to press his claim of innocence on bribery and conspiracy charges. Magistrate Judge Timothy Hillman wrote that he agrees with Turner's contention that he has a right to defend himself in public. However, he said the government proved that if Turner publicly discussed the voluminous discovery documents he could jeopardize his - and co-defendant Dianne Wilkerson's - right to a fair trial as well as put at risk government undercover agents, informants and innocent third parties mentioned in the documents.

Read Hillman's decision for yourself. Also see:

• Turner's answer to the government motion
• The government's motion