Jefferson County Circuit Court issues gag order for suspects in ‘Cupcake’ McKinney case

(Courtesy of the Birmingham Police Department)

by: Ariel Cochran, Associated Press

Posted: Nov 5, 2019 / 11:55 AM CST

Updated: Nov 5, 2019 / 04:32 PM CST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP/WIAT) — A judge is ordering lawyers to quit talking to the news media about the case of a 3-year-old Alabama girl who authorities say was kidnapped and killed.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Clyde Jones issued a gag order Tuesday in the cases against two people charged in the death of Kamille McKinney, known as “Cupcake” to her family.

The judge says he wants to limit publicity to ensure a fair trial.

Authorities say 39-year-old Patrick Devone Stallworth and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Derick Irisha Brown, are charged with capital murder in the slaying. The two are jailed without bond and defense lawyers have said they’re innocent.

The child disappeared from a birthday party last month, and her remains were found in garbage 10 days later.

A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 10.

In the order it states,

“After consideration of the recent amount of pretrial publicity in the above-matter, the Court hereby finds it necessary to ensure a fair and impartial trial for both parties to enter a Gag Order which hereby prohibits any member of the District Attorney’s Office or Counsels for the Defendants from making further extrajudicial statements concerning any and all matters pertaining to the above-styled case.

Any violation of the above will immediately result in sanctions being imposed against the offending party.”

The document was signed by the circuit court judge.