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Gag order issued for Cottonwood bus crash trial

Last update: July 23, 2008 - 11:34 PM

Less than a week before jury selection is scheduled to begin in the Cottonwood school bus crash case, the judge has issued a gag order preventing people involved from talking about it.

The trial of Olga Franco is scheduled to begin with jury selection Monday in the Kandiyohi County seat of Willmar.

Franco is accused of driving the van that crashed into a school bus Feb. 19, killing four students and injuring others. Her trial was moved from the Lyon County seat of Marshall at the request of defense attorneys.

"At this critical juncture, on the eve of the jury trial, the balance between allowing state and defense commentary about the case must necessarily shift to the necessity of selecting a fair and impartial jury required by our constitution," Judge David W. Peterson wrote in his Wednesday order.

PAM LOUWAGIE