The attorney representing Byron Smith, a Little Falls homeowner charged in the Thanksgiving Day shooting deaths of two teenage intruders, has asked a judge to consider restricting lawyers from talking about the case with the media.

In a motion filed in Morrison County District Court, attorney Steven Meshbesher argued that some public statements by prosecutor Pete Orput were inflammatory and could prejudice Smith's right to a fair trial.

Meshbesher's request followed Orput's motion earlier this month asking that defense attorneys be kept from releasing reports, photos, audio recordings and other evidence before trial in order to ensure an "efficient and orderly disposition of this case." Judge Douglas Anderson is expected to decide the issues within the next week.

Smith, 64, faces two second-degree murder charges in the deaths of Nick Brady, 17, and Haile Kifer, 18. He is accused of shooting them multiple times and leaving their bodies in his basement for a day before police were called.

Richard Meryhew

@datelineMN