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Defense attorneys for the man accused of the deadly highway shooting spree June 3 lost a bid Wednesday to seal documents related to the case, including 911 police tapes.
Circuit Judge Glenn Kim denied the request by Toby Stangel’s defense lawyers, who argued that publicity over the documents would jeopardize his rights to a fair trial.
Kim said he agreed with Star-Advertiser attorney Jeffrey Portnoy, who argued against the request.
The judge said defendants have received fair trials in other highly publicized cases, including Xerox co-workers.
"To me, it borders on the ludicrous to say Mr. Stangel cannot get a fair trial," the judge said.
Stangel is charged with murder, attempted murder and other counts related to the shooting rampage that left one dead and two wounded.
His trial had been set for this month, but was rescheduled for the week of Dec. 5.
Last week, Circuit Judge Edwin Nacino ruled the city must release five of nine 911 tapes requested by the newspaper.
Kim’s ruling clears the way for the city to turn over the five tapes, which the newspaper attorneys said could be as early as today.