Bend, Ore. – Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel has filed a motion objecting to a gag order imposed by County Circuit Judge Alta Brady in the Kaylee Sawyer murder case, in which Edwin Lara is charged with four counts of aggravated murder.
The order applies to all those involved in the case. Hummel argues that the gag order is in violation of free speech provided to him by the U.S. Constitution.
Hummel says it prevents him from informing Sawyer’s family about the case, and it prohibits him from doing his job as the elected district attorney.
Lara, a former COCC security officer, is accused of kidnapping, attempting to sexually assault and murdering Kaylee Sawyer, of Bend, on July 24. Following the alleged murder, Lara is accused of kidnapping a woman in Salem before fleeing to California, where he allegedly committed a series of violent acts including kidnapping, attempted murder and carjacking.
Deschutes County Circuit Presiding Judge Alta Brady put the original gag order in place on July 26. That order was amended on Aug 11 by Circuit Judge Michael Adler to be more flexible.
However, following statements Hummel made to the media Aug. 15, Adler imposed a second, all-encompassing gag order.
Hummel has requested a hearing on the matter on Monday in Deschutes County Circuit Court.
