A defense attorney for the man accused of trying to carry out a school shooting at Pauls Valley High School on April 7 has filed a motion requesting the court issue a gag order prohibiting “extrajudicial” statements about the case by court officials and law enforcement personnel.
The motion was filed in Garvin County District Court April 16 by Tyson Stanek, the court appointed attorney for 20-yearold Victor Lee Hawkins. Hawkins is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the event at the high school on April 7, which was ultimately thwarted by school staff who tackled and restrained Hawkins until law enforcement arrived. High school principal Kirk Moore was wounded during the altercation.
The case has already received intense media attention, and the motion filed last week argues a gag order is necessary to protect both the state and the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
The motion asks the court to issue an order prohibiting law enforcement and court personnel, as well as attorneys for both the prosecution and defense, and any other attorneys involved in the case, from making public comment to news media and reporters, on social media, or in any other manner likely to be published or disseminated. According to the motion, general statements by the accused regarding his innocence and any comments regarding scheduling or dates and times of court proceedings would not be restricted by the requested gag order.
A hearing on the motion is set for May 1.