Just Shut Up!

No additional comments needed about this story from the Tribune.

The judge presiding over the federal corruption trial of former Gov. George Ryan confirmed in open court this morning she has slapped a gag order on everyone involved in the case for the remainder of the trial.

Referring to a story in this weekend's Sun-Times about a juror being dismissed from the case, U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer said she was "most disappointed the court's orders were violated."

Pallmeyer said that the story's assertion the juror was dismissed because of "personality conflicts" are "false, baseless and needlessly disruptive."

When the jury entered court, the judge made the following statement: "We have lost one of our jurors. This juror was dismissed for personal reasons and it had nothing to do with the merits of this case."

The gag order issued Sunday by Pallmeyer bars lawyers, defendants and their families from making any comments to the news media.