A federal appeals court has thrown out a sweeping gag order in the case of a former coal company executive accused of violating safety standards at a West Virginia mine where an explosion killed 29 men.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order Thursday, three days after hearing arguments on the matter.
U.S. District Judge Irene Berger's order prohibited just about anyone, including victims' relatives, from speaking publicly about former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's case. She also kept most court filings secret.
Five media organizations, including The Associated Press, claimed the gag order violated the First Amendment.
Blankenship was the head of Massey when the Upper Big Branch Mine exploded in 2010. He is charged with conspiring to violate safety and health standards.
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