Gag order denied in Lunde death

Lawyers for the news media have argued against the request proposed in the case of David Lee Onstott, accused of killing the 13-year-old Ruskin girl.

TAMPA - Hillsborough County authorities will be allowed to talk to news media about the man accused of killing a Ruskin girl in April, a county judge ruled in rejecting a defense request for a sweeping gag order.

Deborah Goins, the attorney for David Lee Onstott, argued Friday that news stories about his confession and her client's 1995 rape conviction were making a fair trial impossible. She cited comments from Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee that Onstott, 36, acknowledged strangling 13-year-old Sarah Michelle Lunde.

"The more they hear, the more they remember," the assistant public defender said.

Lawyers for the Tampa Tribune , the St. Petersburg Times and WFLA-Ch. 8argued against the gag order proposed for prosecutors, the Sheriff's Office and the medical examiner's office.

Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta granted Goins 30 days to review investigative files and other evidence normally released before trial. Decisions will be made afterward on whether any papers should be sealed until trial.

State Attorney Mark Ober, who has said he will seek the death penalty in the case, did not take a position on the gag request.

Onstott is being held without bail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted sexual battery.

[Last modified June 5, 2005, 02:15:25]