Judge Refuses to Lift Gag Order in Kidnap, Murder Case
A judge refused Friday to lift a gag order that bars officials from discussing the case of a Navy petty officer charged with kidnaping and murdering an 8-year-old girl.
Kings County Municipal Judge Ronald Maciel had been asked by three area newspapers to lift the gag order. Maciel said he found no grounds not to continue his order, which keeps prosecutors, defense attorneys and other court personnel from discussing the case with reporters.
Gene McCurdy, a petty officer 1st class at nearby Lemoore Naval Air Station, has been charged with the slaying of third-grader Maria Piceno. The girl disappeared during a trip to a grocery store March 27. Her body was found 60 miles south in Poso Creek on April 9.
An autopsy showed that Maria died of suffocation.
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