San Diego

A San Diego Municipal Court judge Friday lifted a gag order that had prevented officials from talking about a triple murder case. Defendant David Lucas’ attorney asked San Diego Municipal Court Judge Wayne Peterson to withdraw the protective order, which he received Jan. 4. News media representatives will be allowed to attend Lucas’ preliminary hearing, set for Feb. 8, but the public still will be barred, Peterson ruled Friday. The gag order prohibited law enforcement authorities, investigators, prosecutors, court clerks, attorneys, jail deputies and bailiffs from talking with reporters about Lucas. Lucas, 29, of Spring Valley, is charged with killing Anne Swanke, 22, of San Carlos on Nov. 20 and Rhonda Strang, 24, and Amber Fisher, 3, both of Lakeside, on Oct. 23. He also is under investigation in several other deaths.